❯❯ False Friends in Job AdvertisementsNº 144 - Spain: 5,95€/Brazil: R$14.90/Austria, Finland, Germany, Italy: €6.00 www.thinkinenglish.net Think 1-hour CD in English Travel Educational Material Can we imitate the Taiwanese Economic Miracle? Intellectual Property: the value of ideas Illustrated Why Scott Failed Expressions Business 8 414090 253369 00144 ❯❯ Whose ghost advised the painterpoet William Blake? ( Think 100) ❯❯ How has Hollywood plagiarized the Greek myths? ( Think 100) ❯❯ How was the Duke of Wellington's body anatomically unusual? ( Think 102) ❯❯ What do expressions like "to hold out the olive branch" and "to bark up the wrong tree" mean? ( Think 102) ❯❯ Which spy novelist also wrote a best-selling children's story that was made into a film? ( Think 103) ❯❯ How were Victorian women discouraged from becoming professional painters? ( Think 103) ❯❯ When was the BBC’s independence put to the test for the first time? ( Think 105) ❯❯ What is the difference between the noun “a pine" and the verb "to pine"? ( Think 105) Find the answers to these questions and more in: so ld o ut so ld o ut so ld o ut so ld o ut "Simply put, it is the best magazine I have ever come across to learn good, accurate English." Miguel Angel Hernandez, on Think's Facebook page. Good News! You can still buy those magazines as digital downloads. www.thinkinenglish.net Think in English MagazineIssue 144 Contents Current Affairs 4 News & Anecdotes 6 Language News 8 Science 9 Internet – Mega-Kim 10 Economics – The Taiwanese Miracle 12 Culture 12 Travel – Tai Pei: the Other China 15 Poetry – Gray’s Elegy: the UK’s favourite poem......... 18 How to Bullshit about – Intellectual Property 20 Language – The Goulash Connection 22 Cinema – Zsa Zsa Gabor 24 Explorers – Scott & Amundsen 26 Art – Generic Titles: Part 1 Language 28 Functional – Giving Feedback.................. 30 Common Mistakes – Agreement 32 Idioms – Gray’s Phrases 33 Pronunciation – A breathless heathen.............................. 34 Idioms – Illustrated Business Idioms 2 36 US vs. UK – Anecdotes 38 False Friends – A job advert 40 Translation – Error Detectives 41 Crossword 42 Miscellany..................................................................... 43 Subscription form 44 Back issues’ coupon 45 Tapescripts .................................................................. 51 Next month Bookmark – Architectural spaces Editor’s Note Hello again, Welcome to Think 144. This month we’ve looked at two little known countries. On pp. 12-14 Sonia offers us her firsthand experience of a visit to Tai Pei, the capital of Taiwan. Douglas has backed this up with a piece about the Taiwanese economy (pp. 10-11); a subject he knows well having lived for several years on the island. Thanks to both of them for two fascinating articles. Meanwhile, András has written two excellent articles on very different aspects of his homeland’s influence on Anglo culture. On pp. 20-21 he explains the influence of Hungarian on English, while on pp. 22-23 he looks at the family of Hungary’s most famous daughter, Zsa Zsa Gabor. Many thanks to him too. This is a year of anniversaries and this month we commemorate the centenary of the death of Captain Scott in the Antarctic (pp. 24-25). Another topic is intellectual property. Douglas has reviewed the case against Megaupload on p. 9, while we examine the surprising history of IP on pp. 18-19. The other major theme this month is Britain’s favourite poem – Thomas Gray’s Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard. On pp. 15-17 we analyze this ambiguous piece of poetry and try to work out what it’s really about. The Elegy is also our starting point to look at the question of complex subject-verb agreement on pp. 30-31. Finally, we look at the phrases and idioms that Gray coined on p. 32. Two other notable features from the grammar section are the functional article on feedback (pp. 28-29), which comes from George Sandford’s Business English Phrase Book (thanks to George for that) and the triumphal return of Miles with a great piece on false friends that focuses on a real ad for a job. The audio includes an interesting debate involving a group of Americans talking about the USA, some great anecdotes about uncontrollable laughter and George Harper tells us how to make moonshine in the second half of his interview. See you next month, Nick Franklin, editor
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[email protected] 26 Find us on Facebook too. 3 ❯❯ Contact us Abbreviations: sth. = something, s.o. = someone, swh. = somewhere News&Anecdotes Photo by Reborn Dolls Current Affairs | News & Anecdotes I’m having trouble known just what to think about the latest world craze1: Reborns. These are incredibly lifelike dolls of newborn2 babies, which feel, weigh and look exactly like the living thing3. Reborns cost between $150 for a crude imitation on eBay and $15,000 for a top-of-the-market model with real hair. The phenomenon which started seven years ago has now spawned4 a global industry that includes web forums and live conferences5. Some justify the hobby of keeping these cabbage-patch dolls6 of the 21st Century as the equivalent of bizarre male pastimes7 such as having model train sets8 or fishing. But the strangest thing is people’s reactions to the dolls. Some want to cuddle9 the dolls and resist returning them to their owners. Many men want to play taboo pranks10 such as blowing11 smoke in the dolls face. Photographer Rebecca Martinez who has exhibited photos of people with Reborns commented that on two separate occasions US policemen have wanted to be photographed holding12 a pistol to a Reborn’s head! The fact of the matter is13 that Reborns are cold and inanimate making them more like stillbirths14 or cot deaths15 than living babies. I am no social psychologist but I’m sure that this phenomenon says something important about our times. world craze – worldwide fashion, global obsession 2 newborn – recently born, neonate 3 the living thing – (in this context) a real baby 4 to spawn – generate 5 conference – (false friend ) convention 6 cabbage-patch doll – toy from the 1980s 7 male pastime – hobby for men 1 Reborns: Babies for Our Age In 2008 the US took a major 16 step forward17 by electing a non-white President for the first time. While there won’t be a female candidate for President in 2012 the Gingrich idea that there will be soon is much more conceivable now than it was a year ago. So progress has certainly been made towards the representation of large18 sections of the population. However, it is still inconceivable that the country could have a President from two groups: one a minority and the other the immense majority. First and in contrast to most long established democ- Romney racies, the US Presidency is not open to an atheist. While the majority could stomach19 a Mormon or a practising Jew20 – and have accepted a Catholic in the case of Kennedy – an atheist would still be beyond the pale21. For that matter, given the furore around Obama’s second name, a Muslim President would seem unacceptable too. Perhaps more importantly, the Presi- Santorum dency has always been dominated by the super-rich. George Washington was worth22 $525 million in today’s money. Indeed23, eight out of24 the first 10 US Presidents were worth22 at least $20 million in today’s money. And of course the trend25 continues. If we look at the Republican candidates Mitt Romney is worth22 an estimated $200 million, which of course makes Gingrich’s $7 million and Rick Santorum’s $2 million look positively paltry26. The same is true of the Democrats: Kennedy, Carter and the Clintons were all multimillionaire’s too. President Obama is a ‘pauper’27 with a net wealth28 of only $1.3 million, one of the poorest US Presidents ever! It’s not sex or colour that makes somebody eligible29 to be President, it’s money. Plutocracy USA Photos by Gage Skidmore The German Secret Prof. Michael Leschziner recently wrote of his first-hand experience of the British higher education and the German and Swiss professional training systems. Although he noted the ‘excellent’ academic education he had received in Britain, which provided ‘intellectual tools30’, he commented that the Germanic system stillbirth – baby that is born dead cot death – baby that has suffered sudden infant death syndrome (i.e. died while sleeping) 16 major – important 17 step forward – advance 18 large – (false friend ) big 19 to stomach – tolerate, accept 20 practising Jew – adherent to Judaism 21 to be beyond the pale – be 14 15 train set – miniature railway system 9 to cuddle – embrace, hold affectionately 10 prank – practical joke, trick, mischievous act 11 to blow (blow-blew-blown) – puff, exhale 12 to hold (hold-held-held) place, put 13 the fact of the matter is – though this may be difficult to accept the essential fact is 8 unacceptable to be worth – have a total capital of 23 indeed – (emphatic) in fact 24 out of – (in this context) of 25 trend – tendency 26 paltry – insignificant, negligible, pathetic 27 pauper – poor person 28 a net wealth – fortune, capital 29 eligible – (false friend ) suitable, acceptable 30 tools – skills, strengths, expertise 22 4 Think in English Issue 144 offered something ‘much more important’: “an ethos31 that is based on a combination of uncompromising32 and unselfish commitment33 to the quality, precision and completeness of whatever I was asked to produce [...] and the notion that the survival and success of the society in which I lived hinged34, unconditionally, on this unwavering35 commitment.” Only when we can all honestly say we have the same ethos can we seriously compete with the Germans and perhaps one day, if they ever come asking us for money, rub their nose in it36 a little. Photo by Belén Gutiérrez 86% of UK supermarket employees receive less than the ‘living wage’42 and have to resort to43 state benefits44. The CEOs45 of the four major supermarkets awarded46 themselves between £3 and £7 million last year. Such massive pay packages47 are justified in the companies’ profits: for instance48, Tesco earned £3.7billion last year. Yet the profits are based on the taxpayer49 subsidising their employees’ lousy pay50. The supermarkets are the biggest private-sector employers in the UK. Supermarket Profits Reconciliation despite the Politicians Women with ‘tempting’ eyes may be forced to cover them up to avoid arousing38 men, according to a new law promoted by Saudi Arabia’s Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. The Committee employs thousands of ‘religious police’ to enforce Islamic Law. Saudi women already have to wear the abaya39, cover their hair and in some parts of the country, cover their faces. Here’s my idea for the Committee: why not just40 blind41 lascivious men? Related Resources D What’s the most ridiculous piece of news you’ve heard recently? Why specifically does it seem farcical to you? apply for state benefits – government subsidies 45 CEO – chief executive officer, managing director 46 to award – grant, give 47 pay package – salary plus benefits 48 for instance – for example 49 taxpayer – s.o. who pays taxes (= makes fiscal contributions) 50 lousy pay – pathetic salaries 51 issue – question, controversy 52 yet again – (emphatic) again, once more 53 salutary – valuable, therapeutic 54 gunner – s.o. who operates a cannon 55 pangs of remorse – feelings of guilt, penitence 56 HMS – Her Majesty’s Ship (denomination for Royal Navy ships) 57 to bail out – escape by parachute 58 to keep in touch (keep-keptkept) – maintain contact 44 The Eyes Have Had It37 As politicians in both Britain and Argentina try to gain political capital from the issue51 of the Falklands-Malvinas Islands yet again52, here’s a salutary53 story. For a quarter of a century Neil Wilkinson, a Royal Navy gunner54, felt pangs of remorse55 because he had shot down an Argentine fighter jet that was approaching his ship, HMS56 Intrepid, killing in the process the pilot. However in 2007 he saw a documentary that made him think that the pilot might have bailed out57 before the plane crashed. Wilkinson contacted the Argentine Embassy in London and they confirmed that Mariano Velasco had survived and offered to put him in touch. At the end of 2011 Neil travelled to Cordoba Province in Argentina where he had an emotional meeting with Velasco. The two men have promised to keep in touch58. ethos – code, philosophy uncompromising – inflexible, resolute 33 unselfish commitment – magnanimous dedication 34 to hinge – depend 35 unwavering – uncompromising32 36 to rub s.o’s nose in it – humiliate s.o. 37 to have had it – be finished. “The ayes have it” in the British Parliament mean that a law has been passed 38 to arouse – excite sexually 39 the abaya – a long black cloak 40 just – (in this context) simply 41 to blind s.o. – deprive s.o. of his/ her ability to see 42 living wage – salary necessary for a minimum acceptable standard of living as determined by the Centre for Research in Social Policy 43 to resort to – have recourse to, 31 32 Issue 144 Think in English5 The students were expected to repeat the movements as they used the new vocabulary. 60% of the world’s languages come from two belts7 of tropical rainforest – one in Africa and the other in Southeast Asia. reasonably 4 actual – (false friend ) real 5 to tackle – (in this context) try to answer 6 for instance – for example 7 belt – (in this context) section. It seems that small. repository. depot. Did you know. Those living in cooler climates were more likely to be13 talking indoors and so could use a greater number of consonant clusters14. It’s harder15 to explain why tropical languages use more nasal consonants (like /n/ and /m/) while temperate10 ones use more plosives (like /t/ and /g/). in the open air 13 were more likely to be – had a greater possibility that they were 14 consonant cluster – group of consonants together without vowels in-between (e. evident. isolated languages have more complicated grammars than the tall-building languages17. recognizable 15 17 tall-building language – language that has hundreds of millions of speakers and tends to eclipse other languages 6 Think in English Issue 144 . be prepared to 2 pretty intuitive stuff – (informal ) reasonably logical 3 rather – quite. tract 8 storehouse – depository. Another parallel with evolutionary biology can be found in terms of extinction: linguists currently estimate that half a million human languages may have emerged and gone extinct. of course. for instance6. Another area of study is the complexity of grammar. So. Half the course was given in the conventional way with spoken and written instructions. Spanish and Mandarin Chinese. a little temperate – (in this context) non-tropical 11 cousin – (in this context) equivalent. We now have just9 under 7000 and the number is falling fast. Photo by Alex Linguistic Darwinism to be willing to – be ready to. treasury just – (in this context) slightly. This may be because many more people learn the tall building languages as adults. pretty intuitive stuff2 when learning action words like ‘kiss’. More surprising was the fact that students learned abstract vocabulary – such as the word for ‘rather3’ – when it was accompanied by a gesture. extension. counterpart. The researchers found that the method could also accelerate real language acquisition in actual4 classrooms. -str-) 9 10 harder – (in this context) more difficult 16 pronounced – (in this context) marked.g. 1 Learn Languages Faster Recent research is beginning to tackle5 some bizarre facts about the world’s languages. tropical rainforests are the storehouse8 of linguistic diversity as well as biodiversity. A curious characteristic of all those tropical languages is that they tend to have many more vowels than their temperate10 cousins11. like English. One suggestion is that vowel sounds travel further and so are more useful for shouting words outdoors12 in hot climates. Papua New Guinea alone has produced 1 in 7 of the world’s languages. which have a lot of contact with outsiders. The researchers taught 20 students an artificial language called ‘Vimmi’ for a week.Language News Current Affairs | Language News Photo by Przykuta Research from the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Leipzig suggests that you can learn a language faster if you gesticulate while you learn. somewhat. The study found that students remembered significantly more of the vocabulary they acted out and were more willing to1 use it when creating new sentences. conspicuous. relative 12 outdoors – outside. ‘sit’ or ‘cut’. The other half was taught with body movements to accompany each new word. that most of the world’s languages come from the Tropics? In fact. The differences between tropical and temperate languages are much more pronounced16 in open countryside – savannah or steppes – than in areas with dense vegetation. This is. garbage (US English) 40 no wonder – it is not surprising that 41 to claim – be declared 42 councillor – member of the municipal authority 43 weird – strange. Notice the redundant26 question tag. the councillors42 in Gwynedd in Wales are not convinced. It’s stressful work for the highly skilled47 people who do it but it does bring both help to hundreds of thousands of deaf48 people and foreign49 visitors. silently consume him and throw him away? What sex is a juice carton21. you know. whose names I am told are ‘Jonty’ and “Come back! I ‘Nick’. And the worst of it is that the things around us chatter19 inanely20. Notice the use of the pause filler ‘you know’. frivolously 21 carton – (false friend ) 22 to start up – begin by saying. ‘Stop’. “This city’s got talent!” the bin barks back at36 me in the vaguely familiar voice of a TV game show hostess – another imaginary friend who makes my life bearable37. generate. sorry the worst of it is that you know that these words have been carefully crafted24 by some losers in the marketing department who consider themselves ‘creative’. This offensive word is used in a variety of ways – as a general insult against a woman.A strange thing has been taking place in the UK – objects have begun talking to us. God. anyway? No. However. The stenographers and re-readers inevitably make mistakes. A carton21 of fruit juice is lonely and wants to be my friend. or to imply a homosexual sex slave (in African-American vernacular) 54 as opposed to “the archbishop of Canterbury” 47 48 Issue 144 Think in English7 . Yes. I finish my sad. The crisp packet 18 Object Lesson offers me “a big hello” from the fryers28. incite 28 fryer – s. Britain has finally gone down the plughole of38 decadence. What are you tell me that if I were to go down the crisp doing in here?” factory I’d have a hard time30 finding the real ‘Jonty and Nick’? So. from overseas 50 to call for – ask for. not a Welsh word but the Welsh pronunciation of the French word toilette 46 keyboard-like – similar to a keyboard 37 38 Simultaneous Subtitling to take place (take-took-taken) – occur. Because I am a conscientious loner33 in this anonymous city. After all you can find it on toilet doors from Japan to Portugal and in most countries in between. hi Jonty. they sound fun people to haven’t finished! befriend29! But why does something Oh. Photo by Wuyouyuan There are few terms that can claim41 to be part of a universal language. produce 25 in medias res – as if the conversation had already started 26 redundant – unnecessary. urge. happen 19 to chatter – talk about inconsequential things 20 inanely – idiotically. isn’t it?” Should I answer back? Should I ignore the speaker. ‘pizza’ and ‘siesta’ would probably be candidates. unusual 44 to be deemed – be considered 45 toiled is. When a senior member of the royal family died they called for50 “a moment’s violence”51 and once described a town awaiting a visit from “the arch52 bitch53 of Canterbury”54! bearable – tolerable to go down the plughole of (go-went-gone) – descend into the nadir of 39 rubbish (UK English) – trash. “We’re not saying that there’s anything wrong with going for a gym workout23. It starts up22. demand 51 as opposed to “a moment’s silence” 52 arch – principal. are nothing compared to the nonsense written by computer-generated subtitles.45 Related Resources D Welsh Worries about ‘WC’ Would you consider gesturing while learning English? Anyone who has visited Britain and had access to a remote control will probably have enjoyed the special pleasure of TV subtitling. These. Notice Photo by marina Carresi how it starts in medias res25. primary 53 bitch – (literally) female dog. These are produced either by stenographers who type thousands of different key combinations into a keyboard-like46 machine or by re-readers who simultaneously listen to and repeat what they hear on TV. superfluous 18 to prompt – encourage. It’s just. I’d have said that ‘WC’ was another. say 23 gym workout – session of diverse exercises at a gymnasium 24 to craft – design. Maybe only English visitors will understand what this weird43 letter combination – pronounced /u:k/ in Welsh – is referring to! If ‘WC’ is deemed44 to be English. all a bit of an effort really. The bins35 congratulate you for throwing your rubbish39 away! No wonder40 the Scots want independence. the letters will be accompanied by the ‘Welsh’ word toiled. I throw my talking juice carton and my salutatory34 crisp packet into the nearest bin35. however.o. prompting27 me to answer even though nobody is listening. of course. lonely lunch and get off my park bench31 because it’s starting to rain and head back to32 the office. who fries (= cooks in hot oil) 29 to befriend – make friends with 30 to have a hard time (have-had-had) – have great difficulty 31 park bench – 32 to head back to – return in the direction of 33 loner – introvert 34 salutatory – that says ‘hello’ 35 bin – trash can 36 to bark back at – reply raucously (= loudly and unmelodiously) to 27 highly skilled – very specialized deaf – that cannot hear 49 foreign – from abroad. that you know but who is not a friend 5 to be passed on – be transmitted 6 stranger – (false friend ) s. Antarctic palaeontology was begun by Captain Scott’s ill-fated26 expedition on 1912. probability 4 acquaintance – s. The researchers speculate that yawning is an expression of empathy.o. The fossil. hold captive 21 to work out – determine.o’s footsteps – continue the work of a predecessor 24 remains – fossilized body parts.o. discover 22 to lead to (lead-led-led) – give access to 23 to follow in s. Related Resources D What do we yawn for? pp. Empathetic Rats Photo by Marina Carresi Yawning The Science of Yawning1 It has long been known that yawning is contagious. even when given the option of opening another door that led to22 chocolate. If people who yawn are family members there is a 50% chance3 that you will yawn when you see or hear them. (I know plenty of people who would choose the chocolate first!). until now. collect.o. remnants 25 long-necked – having many cervical vertebrae 26 ill-fated – unlucky. researchers from the University of Chicago found that lab15 rats prefer to rescue a fellow16 rat that they normally shared17 a cage18 with than receive a treat19. 31 for an explanation of why this verb is plural 14 trait – characteristic 15 lab (adj.) – laboratory 16 a fellow – another 9 8 Think in English Issue 144 . is between 70 and 80 million years old and belongs to a member of the titanosaur family. The remains24 of one of the longnecked25 herbivores have been found for the first time on Antarctica. he immediately chose to free the trapped rat. from 13 see p. An acquaintance4’s yawn will be passed on5 once every eight times and only one yawn in 10 emitted by a stranger6 will affect you. He found that a budgie9 was three times more likely to11 yawn if its neighbour had just done so. you don’t know 7 their peers – (in this context) other animals in the same group 8 non-primates – animals other than humans. delicacy 20 to trap – imprison. orang-utans and monkeys budgerigar – budgie (informal ) 10 a fortnight – two weeks 11 to be three times more likely to – have three times the probability of (+ -ing) 12 to set s.o. found by a team from the National University of Comahue in Argentina. Friends will cause you to yawn when they do 25% of the time. which showed that Antarctica had been much warmer in the remote past. The British explorers retrieved27 the first fossils from the frozen continent. to share – cohabit in cage – structure made out of metal bars used for confining animals 19 treat – special pleasure. gorillas. Right now I think the only undisputed trait14 that is unique to humans is cooking. What’s more. we’re not the only animals who have contagious yawning. Once his friend had worked out21 how to open the door to the tube. However.Current Affairs | Science & Technology Science The number of things that set us apart from12 non-primates8 are13 fewer every month. It was already known that other primates yawned as a consequence of seeing their peers7 yawn but contagious yawning had never been recorded in nonprimates 8. chimpanzees. tragic 27 to retrieve – fetch. Recently. sleepy or bored 2 yawner – person who yawns 3 chance – possibility. apart from (setset-set) – distinguish s. a new study from the University of Pisa has found that the degree of contagion depends on one’s relationship with the yawner2. 24-25 Illustration by Nobu Tamura Titanosaur Sauropod fossils have now been found on all seven continents of the world. In the experiment one rat was trapped20 in a transparent tube that could only be opened from the outside. recover 17 18 Following in Scott’s Footsteps23 1 yawning – opening your mouth wide and inhaling deeply when you are tired. Andrew Gallup of Binghamton University in New York observed 21 budgerigars9 for a fortnight10 recording each time one of the birds yawned. 9 Kim Dotcom Internet Piracy In January this year the US government shut down Megaupload.o’s assets (freeze-froze-frozen) – impede s.by Douglas Jasch douglasjasch@douglasjasch. Yet3 the question being asked by some is whether26 the US is going too far in the way it treats foreign nationals suspected of breaking US law. else’s computer 26 whether – if 18 19 The new home page for www. ■ Related Resources H Facebook chat: Who should police the Web? pp. He is accused of operating an organization dedicated to copyright infringement. who used the site to illegally share movies and music. even though the site has never been proven in a court of law to have done anything illegal. 18-19 device – equipment to seek to (seek-sought-sought) – try to 20 to hold s. 7 file-hosting – offering of digitalized information 8 file-sharing – exchange of digitalized information 9 Megaupload had over 150 employees.megaupload.com twitter: @douglasjasch Mega-Kim Current Affairs | Internet Photo by Andreas Bohnenstengel When the US Government shut down Kim Dotcom’s $170m business and froze all of his assets1. was arrested there and is currently awaiting deportation to the United States to stand trial10.o. or slower email or conventional mail services when transmitting data. count on Innocent Until Proven Guilty? Some legal experts argue that. Megaupload Megaupload was the largest file-sharing8 website in the world where users were able to upload and download digital media of every type including music.o. Megaupload was a Hong-Kong-based file-hosting7 and -sharing8 business. send and receive large files via the internet without having to rely on 17 personal digital storage devices18 . which was estimated at its peak to be responsible for 4% of all internet traffic. many people felt that he must be guilty2 of doing something very wrong. an 1 Issue 144 Think in English9 . etc. up – reinforce sth. Dotcom is no saint having been found guilty in his youth of insider-trading 24 and of computer hacking25. However. the criminal charges against him go beyond 11 simple copyright infringement.o. Its founder Kim Dotcom. suggest 6 to deny s. the United States has no right to shut down a successful business prior to22 a court ruling 23. be judicially processed 11 beyond – further than 12 racketeering – profiting from illegal activities 13 money-laundering – process of making illegally obtained money appear legitimate 14 to beef sth. which can carry a 20-year term. The US Government is seeking to19 hold Megaupload accountable 20 for income of $175 million and was visited by 50 million people daily 10 to stand trial (stand-stood-stood) – be tried. notification 22 prior to – before there is 23 court ruling – judicial decision 24 insider-trading – profiting from the illegal use of privileged information 25 computer hacking – illegal entry into s. Legal pundits 4 question the credibility of the more serious accusations. The charges include racketeering12 and money-laundering13. accountable (hold-held-held) – make s. – not give s. sth. 2 guilty – legally culpable 3 yet – however 4 pundits – experts 5 to claim – say. They believe the US may be beefing up14 the charges to make them more serious and therefore make it easier to extradite him to the USA. The shutting down of the site without notice21 means that they may lose this information. the 13th most popular site on the internet. movies.o’s access to his/her capital in banks. The site claims to have 15 the legitimate function of providing a way for owners of content16 to store. 15 to claim to have – say one has 16 content – (in this context) digitalized information 17 to rely on – depend on. responsible 21 notice – (fore)warning. if people are innocent until proven guilty2.o.o. sth. A German National who is a resident of New Zealand. video games and software programs. Yet3 some legal pundits4 are claiming5 Dotcom has been denied6 the presumption of innocence as he is yet to be found guilty of breaking the law. the activities of its many users. Many of the site’s users used it for legitimate purposes to store and share their personal and business information. Dotcom argues that his company can’t be held accountable20 if some of his clients used his services to act illegally. which carries a maximum five-year prison sentence in the USA.com to freeze s. the Republic of China (ROC) also took with it the national treasures from China as well as China’s gold and foreign currency reserves. Much to the continuing ire of the PRC5 government. until Japan lost World War II to the Allied military forces in 1945. They extended transportation infrastructure throughout 8 the country. twitter: @douglasjasch Taiwan The Chinese Civil War Since the 1970s Taiwan has become a developed nation and an economic powerhouse. They included the intellectual. Taiwan has the fifth largest foreign reserves of any country in the world. augment 13 to have a trade surplus (have-hadhad) – export more than one imports 14 driving force – main impetus 1 Kun Shan University of Technology 10 . Despite their repression of the populace. also making education compulsory9 for all Taiwanese citizens. Think in English Issue 144 there is a summary of Taiwan’s 63-year history on p. This provided a good base for Taiwanese businesses to build on. However. the reunification of China – and that of Korea – still seem as far away as ever. and its exports are the driving force14 behind the country’s economic success today. built an extensive sanitation system and improved the schools. which was equivalent to other developed nations.com. the US gave Taiwan a significant amount 11 of economic aid. By 2008 per-capita GNP had risen12 to $33. Importantly for future economic growth. there has been considerable tension between the two Chinas and a massive military build-up2. although the Taiwanese are not willing to3 give up4 their successful democracy.000. Many people in both countries would still like reunification to occur. The end of the Cold War saw the reunification of a number of countries including East and West Germany and North and South Yemen. the ROC introduced many laws from the mainland which provided stability. Taiwan was under Japanese occupation for 51 years. Singapore. Taiwan has a strong trade surplus13. The influx revitalized the island’s feudal economy. though it also meant the destruction of the indigenous culture and the marginalization of the aboriginal languages. Photos by Sonia Nuñez Puga The Taiwanese Economic Miracle Taiwan’s economic success during the second half of the 20 th Century is widely6 called the ‘Taiwanese Economic Miracle’. In addition to this. the Japanese set the basis for the future success of the Taiwanese economy. 12 (‘A Successful Country that Doesn’t Exist’) 2 military build-up – accumulation of arms 3 to be willing to – be ready to. Hong Kong and Taiwan are collectively known as the “Four Asian Tigers” due to7 their collective economic success. be prepared to 4 to give up (givegave-given) – renounce 5 PRC – People’s Republic of China 6 widely – (in this context) generally 7 due to – because of 8 throughout – to all of 9 compulsory – obligatory 10 mainland – continent (in contrast to an island ) 11 amount – quantity 12 to rise (rise-roserisen) – increase. In 1960 Taiwan’s per-capita gross national product (GNP) was at a similar level to Zaire and Congo at $170. social and business elites of Chinese society. What’s the secret of its success? The early stages of the Cold War divided a number of countries in half between communist and anticommunist regimes. Real annual growth in GDP has averaged a respectable eight percent over the past 30 years. Non-communist China had to be seen to prosper in comparison to the People’s Republic.The Economics of Current Affairs | Economics by Douglas Jasch douglasjasch@douglasjasch. These days Taiwan has a dynamic. Two million people evacuated to Taiwan with President Chiang Kai-shek in 1949. exportdominated successful economy.1 Indeed. Taiwan has experienced dramatic industrial growth. The gold and foreign reserves brought to Taiwan by the ROC from the Chinese mainland10 helped to stabilize prices. South Korea. The result has been an immense concentration of wealth 27 and enormous inequality. including Evergreen ❯❯ Semiconductor device23 fabrication. Issue 144 Think in English11 . The Republic of China’s miraculous growth was based on the rule of law. for example. economic growth was more than 10%. This has helped Taiwan to be a world-beater19 in relation to the time that it takes to introduce new technology for export. Moreover. depend on 17 instead of – rather than.25 The Republic of China first liberalized its economy and expanded economically before opening up politically. UMC ❯❯ TFT-LCD. However. he brought and enforced the laws of mainland China. Small suppliers tend to be able to change their products more quickly than large businesses. Leading 20 technology made in Taiwan include: ❯❯ Smartphones.04 billion. Merida Bikes ❯❯ Biotechnology ❯❯ Nanotechnology ❯❯ Communication & Network. gadget 24 to last – continue 25 1987 saw the beginning of a decade-long democratization process 26 flawed – defective. Taiwan’s world-class education system with its special emphasis on maths and science (and to a lesser extent English) has brought development and not just growth. France and Japan all at once 31. These are not ingredients for a stable democracy. in foreign countries 15 The Taiwanese economy just 28 keeps going from strength to strength29. International trade increased more than 39% in recent times to US$526. ■ Related Resources F pp. Could it be that the leaders of the People’s Republic secretly view Taiwan as a model to imitate? If so. Even during this world financial crisis Taiwan’s economy keeps performing. The population of the People’s Republic is 62 times bigger than that of Taiwan. MSI ❯❯ Shipping22. He also introduced martial law to Taiwan which lasted24 from 1948 to 1987. Taiwan is a major producer of computers: in making them. HTC ❯❯ Bicycle manufacturing. The People’s Republic’s growth has been based on the immensity of the internal market. the highest rate in 30 years. Capitalists can get rich in ‘Communist’ China provided they stay out of politics. can we expect the massive capitalist expansion of Communist China to be followed by a process of democratization? The comparison is tempting but flawed 26. including Giant Bicycles. instead of 16 to rely on – count on. at the same time 32 within – inside. in 33 abroad – overseas. 12-14 Do you think China will be unified in your lifetime? Can your country learn anything from the Taiwanese Economic Miracle? The Inimitable Island? Exporting Taiwanese Democracy? Both the PRC and Taiwan are economic successes. cutting-edge 21 display – (in this context) screen. TSMC. In 2010. passing that of Finland. Taiwan’s emphasis on the rule of law is seen as crucial by commentators within 32 the Republic of China and abroad33. including Chimei InnoLux Corporation. a Taiwanese company will rely on16 a large number of small businesses that produce the various parts required for a computer instead of17 using one large supplier18. as opposed to 18 supplier – provider of components 19 to be a worldbeater – be highly competitive internationally 20 leading – (in this context) advanced. spurious.700. monitor 22 shipping – transportation of products by ship 23 device – machine. invalid 27 wealth – capital. Asus. The IMF30 recently estimated Taiwan’s 2010 GDP-PPP per capita at over US$34. When President Chiang Kai-shek retreated to Taiwan.Doing Business the Taiwan Way Unlike Japan. AU Optronics ❯❯ Photovoltaic industry rather than – as opposed to. riches 28 just – (in this context) simply 29 to keep going from strength to strength (keep-kept-kept) – continue to become stronger and stronger 30 IMF – International Monetary Fund 31 all at once – in one go. Taiwan is dominated by small and medium-sized businesses rather than15 corporations. Could other Tropical (and non-Tropical) countries learn from Taiwan’s success? Obviously. massive capital reserves and significant foreign aid cannot be self-generated. massive reserves and US aid. For example Acer. including D-Link ❯❯ Laptops and other computers and displays21. e. As a result. they often pronounce badly. I knew I could make myself understood in English but I wasn’t sure I would be able to understand the locals18 . occur 5 i. Myanmar and Japan. even when they know another language (i. once written ‘Peking’. Only four years later. you can also find Chinese people who are able to speak perfect English. Taiwan now has a fully functioning democracy. That’s one hell of an11 ability to make enemies! However. Despite this. and it’s the same with our ‘d’ and their ‘t’. I was very uneasy17 about going to China alone because of the language. My biggest worry was eating. The most important thing to know is that in China they use a writing system called pinying which is the translation of the characters’ sounds. I could survive without friends but not without any food! Another properly – well. the country’s status in international law has always been in limbo.The Other China Text and Photos by Sonia Nuñez Puga Taipei Culture | Travel In 1945. Of course. if you write ‘BUDA’ in pinying they will read it as ‘PUTA’ because our b-sound is their p-sound16. the ROC also claims sovereignty over bits of Afghanistan. However. Incredibly. For instance15 . is now called ‘Beijing’ 17 uneasy – worried. ceded the island to The Republic of China (ROC). The People’s Republic5 (PRC) views Taiwan as a rebel province which must be reunited with mainland6 China. Russia. ‘Communist’ China 6 mainland (adj. proficiently for instance – for example that’s why the capital of the People’s Republic. Pakistan. anxious 18 locals – local people 14 15 16 Republic of China Capital: Taipei Population: 23. who had controlled Formosa since 1895. dominion 11 one hell of an – (colloquial ) an impressive 12 claim over – supposed right to 13 the hardest – the most difficult 7 8 12 Think in English Issue 144 . A Successful Country that Doesn’t Exist A Linguistic Voyage of Discovery When you love both languages and travelling.087 1 defeated – conquered (opposite of ‘victorious’) mainland – continent (in contrast to an island ) 3 Chinese Nationalist Party led by Chiang Kai-Shek 4 to take place (take-took-taken) – happen. with a free press and a developed economy. Tajikstan. From 1949 until 1987 the anti-communist Kuomintang3 imposed a repressive military dictatorship on Taiwan.e. sometimes you need to get lost in order to find yourself. Unfortunately. I came to the conclusion that that wasn’t enough: to learn this language properly14 I had to go to China and immerse myself in the culture.) – continental 2 but – (in this context) except for a handful – a few. However. even though the ROC had never controlled the country. English). half a dozen 9 to claim – (in this context) insist on its 10 sovereignty /'sovrinti/ – jurisdiction. In theory the Republic of China still claims9 sovereignty10 over mainland6 China. supremacy.188. the ROC evacuated to Taiwan. since 2002 the ROC has abandoned its sovereignty claim12 over Mongolia. So I started by taking a couple of courses in Madrid. India. the defeated1 Japanese. The legality of this cession is still disputed. I decided to study Chinese because I wanted to know if it really was the hardest13 language in the world. after being defeated by the Communists on the mainland2. there are sounds they spell differently. over the following decade a democratization process took place4. The country is considered about the 20th in the world in terms of quality of life. The PRC has used its substantial political influence to ensure that all but7 a handful8 of small countries refuse to recognize Taiwan’s independence. Finally. Shanghai and even Hong Kong. The writing system in mainland6 Chinese is simplified. Japanese and US society. type 23 on the spur of the moment – on impulse. mixture ❯❯ Issue 144 Think in English13 . I found a company called KCS on the Internet. I read up about20 Beijing.❯❯ Taiwan really touches your heart. is maintained. problem was finding a place I could afford19 for at least one month. 19 could afford – had enough money to pay for 20 to read up about (read-read-read) – (in this context) investigated the possibility of going to 21 spring – March to May 22 kind – sort. which offered the kind 22 of cheap study trip I was interested in. which is very complicated. impetuously 24 blend – harmonious mix. On the spur of the moment23 I decided to go to the Republic of China. It’s Chinese because of the language and culture. The People’s Republic) and the language of Taiwan. and it’s American in that every signpost is written in Chinese and English. but in Taiwan the traditional writing system. untouched for millennia. The Taiwanese defend their way of writing because it’s the original form. Their destinations were Hong Kong and Taiwan.e. Extra-Difficult Chinese Taiwan is the perfect blend 24 of Chinese. from Japan they have adopted good manners and fashion. but living and studying there in spring21 was very expensive. I said Taiwan was Chinese because of the language but there is a major difference between the Chinese in mainland6 China (i. but I fell in love with the city. The Chinese name ‘Taiwan’ means ‘terrace30 (= tái) bay31’ (= wān). inlet. Chinese. English plays an important role in Taiwan. In fact. The tái in these names has nothing to do with36 the tài in Tai Shan. I told you Chinese was difficult! ■ amazing – astonishing. The name refers to the island’s terrain which descends to the sea in a series of terraces formed by alternating plateaus32 and mountains. I was only able to see Taipei. Acquiring a good level of English is perceived as29 important for children competing at school. and they make you feel like the most important guest in their city. Tai me Down Related Resources E If you had the opportunity to travel to learn a language (other than English). they smile at you. for adults competing in the internal job market and for the country competing in the globalized economy. Taipei is increasingly spelt ‘Taibei’ to better reflect the pronunciation 34 from zhōng (= middle). is of course the most important language in Asia and one of the most widely26 spoken in the world. which language would you learn? Where would you go? in fact. Great importance is placed on27 EFL28 at all levels of education in Taiwan and the state actively promotes the learning of English. but in the end I learned a lot there. Even so. so my first two weeks were a little hard. English in Taiwan From 1590 until the 20th Century Taiwan was known as ‘Formosa’. This means ‘peaceful (= tài) mountain (= shun). You will be pleased to hear that there is also a ‘middle Taiwan’ – Taichung34 – and a ‘southern Taiwan’ – Tainan35. fantastic widely – extensively 27 to be placed on – be given to 28 EFL – English as a foreign language 29 as – (in this context) to be 30 terrace – (in topography) small plateau32 31 bay – cove. they take care of you. natural harbour 32 plateau – elevated plain 25 26 Tai me Up. The people there are amazing25. Taipei means ‘northern Taiwan’ (from tái – short for Taiwan.Culture | Travel The Welcoming City All my classes were in English. the sacred mountain in Shantung Province (northeast China). they help you all the time. plus bēi = ‘north)33. the Portuguese word for ‘beautiful (island)’. the name is now increasingly spelt Taizhong 35 from nán (= south) 36 to have nothing to do with (have-hadhad) – be completely unrelated to 33 14 Think in English Issue 144 . Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial hall museum The national language of Taiwan. had been published only a few years before. the poem suggests that great achievements7 are ultimately8 hollow9 victories because “the paths10 of glory lead but to11 the grave12”.18 All this. There could hardly13 be a worse poem to read to soldiers who are about to14 risk their lives in battle! Culture | Poetry ADVANCED Elegy: The Best-Known Poem in English15 From Wolfe’s day until now Gray’s Elegy has been consistently considered a popular favourite in Britain. And leaves the world to darkness and to me. Thomas Gray’s Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard3 (1751). When his recital had finished the general said.) – lugubrious. The anecdote is bizarre in the extreme6.Gray’s Britain’s Favourite Poem In September 1759 one of Britain’s greatest military heroes. not even Hamlet. inexplicable 1 2 achievement – accomplishment. wild) 30 plowman – ploughman (UK only) 31 homeward – going in the direction of one’s home 32 to plod – trudge. zigzag 28 o’er – over 29 lea – field that has been left fallow (= unploughed.) – departing. The lowing25 herd26 wind27 slowly o’er28 the lea29. depressing. the British General read some poetry to his troops2 on the Plains of Abraham. mooing 26 herd – (in this context) group of cows 27 to wind (wind-woundwound) /waind/ – meander. exhausted 34 way – path10 23 ❯❯ Issue 144 Think in English15 . leaving. evaporate troops – soldiers 3 churchyard – graveyard. despite the fact that it is melancholy19 and famously impenetrable.m. Explicitly. dying 25 lowing – making a typical bovine sound. was killed as he captured the French city of Quebec. Gray’s Elegy is about a man who goes into a village cemetery as night falls and thinks about death and how we are inevitably forgotten when we die. 1968 16 in 2002 Dustin Griffin commented that Gray’s Elegy is “probably still today the best-known and best-loved poem in English”. relative to its length no other work of literature has had such a significant influence on the English language. grave – place of burial. sound 12 to vanish – disappear. Similar evaluations were regularly made during the poem’s first 250 years. cemetery 4 would rather – would prefer to 5 to take (take-took-taken) – (in this context) capture 6 bizarre in the extreme – extremely strange. 22 to toll (usually intransitive) – (of bells) ring. sombre 20 verse – (false friend ) stanza 21 curfew – evening bell rung around 8 p. trajectory 11 lead /li:d/ but to – end inevitably in 7 knell – (of a bell ) stroke. meaningless 10 path – route. chime (associated with announcing a death) 24 parting (adj. As a result of Wolfe’s victory English became the majority language in Canada and the dream of a French-speaking North America vanished1. General James Wolfe. How it Starts Gray’s Elegy is 128 lines long. Here are the first two verses20: The curfew21 tolls22 the knell23 of parting24 day. 17 indeed – (emphatic) in fact 18 according to Charles Cudworth in 1971 19 melancholy (adj. sound.16 Indeed17. The plowman30 homeward31 plods32 his weary33 way34. road. walk exhibiting signs of exhaustion 33 weary – tired. feat 8 ultimately – (false friend ) in the final analysis 9 hollow – (in this context) empty. The poem Wolfe read. “Gentlemen. I would rather4 have written those lines than take5 Quebec tomorrow”. The day before the battle. triumph. (in this context) death 13 hardly – (almost) not 14 to be about to – be going to imminently 15 according to Herbert Starr. The plowman30 homeward31 plods32 his way34 And leaves the world to dark and me. Check it out: The curfew21 tolls22 the knell23 of parting24 day. drowsy44 and lull46. Such euphony is also somnolent. droning43. many words are there simply to echo the meaning and the sounds of other words. really 63 an awful lot of – (emphatic) a lot of. The lowing25 herd26 wind27 o’er28 the lea29. sequence of four iambs52 / •● / •● / •● / •● / 55 fair enough – OK 56 technically known as heroic couplets (the most popular rhyme scheme in the 18th Century) 57 ponderous – slowmoving 58 pace – rhythm.68 to fade – become dimmer. possess. Hutchings. The lowing25 herd26 wind27 slowly o’er28 the lea29. “the knell 23 of parting 24 day” just66 repeats the idea. The plowman30 homeward31 plods32 his weary33 way34. there are more words than are strictly necessary. And drowsy44 tinklings45 lull46 the distant folds47. 35 tranquillity to hold (hold-heldheld) – embrace. much 64 to point out – comment 65 to reduce down to – shorten to. are all soporific. only 67 eventually – (false friend ) in the end 68 W. gradually disappear.o. Thomas Gray had received the best education available in the English-speaking world in the 1700s. out of (take-took-taken) – eliminate sth. We’ve underlined the stressed syllables so it should be easy to see the pattern51. Educated at Eton and Cambridge. Words such as tolls22. apt for 60 narcotic – sleepinducing 61 used – (in this context) that are used 62 actually – (false friend ) in fact. This narcotic60 effect is intensified by the vocabulary. by alternating his iambic pentameters48 Gray has created a ponderous57 pace58 suitable for59 the plodding32 plowman30. step 59 suitable for – appropriate for. from 54 iambic tetrameter – 8 alternating unstressed and stressed syllables. ( possibly also) undulating landscape 48 iambic /ai'æmbik/ pentameter – •● / •● / •● / •● / •● / 49 technically known as an ‘iamb’52 /•●/ 50 technically known as a ‘trochee’ /'troki:/ /●•/ 51 pattern – design. Narcotic Poetry So. someone who didn’t understand a word of English would feel calmed and eventually67 sleepy listening to Gray’s Elegy. soporific 42 There is an extraordinary degree of instability about this poem. lowing25. The regularity. it has been pointed out64 that the first line could be reduced down to65 “The curfew21 tolls22”.Culture | Poetry Now fades35 the glimm’ring36 landscape on the sight37. but the poem would also be lighter than it is even if it were written in rhyming pairs of iambic pentameters 56 . (in this context) sequence 52 iamb /'aiæmb/ – (technical ) one unstressed syllable followed by one stressed syllable 53 to take sth. detain 40 save – except 41 beetle – 39 tinklings – the sound of sheep bells to lull – calm.49 In these eight lines the only exception is ‘Save where’. knell23. And leaves the world to darkness and to me. we can illustrate by comparing the poem to what it would sound like with the same pattern but shorter. fades35. And all the air a solemn stillness38 holds39. then stressed syllables. weary33. In fact. Remember how we were able to take a word out of53 each line to form iambic tetrameters54? You may have noticed that it didn’t actually62 affect the meaning of the verses20. Thomas Gray by John Giles Eccardt (1747-1748) You should be able to notice that this iambic tetrameter54 is much lighter and one can read it much faster.o’s capacity to notice sth. The poem is written in very regular iambic pentameters48. – reduce s. Indeed17. 1984 69 to be buried /'berid/ in thought – be thinking so intensely that you don’t notice other people 70 to desensitize s. plods32. the line length and the words used61 act as a sedative. In other words each line has 10 syllables and we have an uninterrupted series of alternating unstressed. 45 46 16 Think in English Issue 144 . Buried in Thought69 Gray is in fact hypnotizing you and desensitizing70 you to some very strange things he is doing with language. glimmering36. What is the effect of these 10-stress lines? Well. soothe 47 fold (n. That’s because there is an awful lot of63 redundancy in this poem. blur 36 to glimmer – shine intermittently. abbreviate to 66 just – (in this context) simply. somnolent. Save40 where the beetle41 wheels42 his droning43 flight. which is a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed one50.) – sheep in pens (= closed spaces). Fair enough55. emit a little light 37 sight – what is seen 38 stillness – motionlessness. In fact. He conversed in Latin as easily as he did in English and wrote in Latin almost every day of his to wheel (usually intransitive) – fly in a slow curving trajectory 43 droning – making a monotonous noise like a machine 44 drowsy – sleepy. Let’s take an iamb52 out of53 each line of the first verse: The curfew21 tolls22 the knell23 of day. nevertheless 75 throughout – in every part of 76 nearly – almost.) – dusk. transitive and intransitive. As a result he was acutely71 aware of72 case73. or rather78 we perceive it is as glimmering. Nevertheless. 89 lines later a ‘thee84’ appears but there is disagreement as to who this refers to. further (take-tooktaken) – extend the argument 89 canvas – surface on which a picture is painted 90 sometimes technically known as ‘cento’ 91 to reword – paraphrase. accusative. Recently. Above all 93. fuse 86 mourner – s. In any case. G What’s your favourite poem? Why is it special to you? pp. very 72 to be aware of – be conscious of 73 case – (in grammar) nominative.o. Yet74 throughout75 the poem – nearly76 in every single line – there is an ambiguity between subject and object.acutely – intensely. cadaver 83 twilight (adj. He confuses subject and object because death is a process by which the subject (the sentient being. you and I) becomes an object (a corpse82). Gray was notoriously97 indolent. What is clear is that Gray has intentionally built ambiguity into his poem. and the atmosphere of solipsistic95 turmoil96 at the moment of death. as the Elegy argues. paraphrased 93 above all – primarily. blend. the landscape or the unmentioned light? In line six we really don’t know if a solemn stillness38 holds39 all the air or if all the air holds39 a solemn stillness38. I still don’t understand how anyone could possibly see this as an appropriate poem to read to soldiers before a battle! ■ Related Resources I. crepuscular 84 thee – (archaic) you (singular) 85 to conflate – combine. unfocused 95 solipsistic – relating to the idea that nothing really exists except for one’s self and one’s thoughts 96 turmoil – confusion. Erica Wagner wrote in The Times. In any case. I would take it further88: poetry like this can actually62 function as an abstract canvas 89 onto which each individual can project his or her thoughts. chaos 97 notoriously – infamously 98 from 1742 until his death in 1771 99 but rather – by contrast 71 adult life. Eliot once said that poetry can communicate before it is understood. in line three we have ‘weary33 way34’: how can the way be weary? Surely it is the plowman 30 who is weary.S. who is sad because another person has died 87 Anne Williams (1984) 88 to take sth. You might be tempted to conclude that Gray composed the poem in a hurry81. Eliot often used a ‘mosaic technique’90 to create poetry out of bits and pieces paraphrased from other poets. We know that Gray did the same in his Elegy. What’s the Story.87 T. Notice the subject-object contrast with sight37 80 to go on (go-wentgone) – continue 81 in a hurry – in a rush. for Gray being a poet wasn’t really about writing poetry but rather99 it meant having a certain sensibility. In line eight the sheep are being lulled46 to sleep by the sound of the bells that are being tinkled by the sheep! Again. 74 yet – (in this context) however. 33 A Philosophy of Indolence Issue 144 Think in English17 . elsewhere we find bits of Milton and Horace recast92. However. yet 74 published less than 1000 lines – what other poets often manage each year. Gray did so in his Elegy. He lived in Cambridge University for most of his adult life98 but only to be near a good library – he did very little teaching. most importantly 94 blurred – unclear. As Anne Williams has commented Gray conflates85 the “mourner86 and the mourned”. rephrase 92 recast – (in this context) reworded. For instance77. The first line rewords91 a phrase from Dante’s Purgat. etc. And what about the “glimm’ring 36 landscape” in line five? The landscape isn’t glimmering36. Twilight83 Glory? There has been two and a half centuries of disagreement about what happens in Gray’s Elegy because the ‘me’ of line four is never heard of again. He dedicated his life to poetry. surely it is the sheep that are drowsy44. So which is the true subject here – is it our sight79. 30-32. “to be a truly great writer you only have to get it right once”. the atmosphere of blurred94 perception at nightfall. we know that he spent over five years writing and rewriting it before publication. Gray creates atmosphere. the sunlight is. the sheep are both subject and object. not the bells! We could go on 80 all night. practically 77 for instance – for example 78 or rather – or to be more precise 79 sight – (in this context) ability to see. too quickly 82 corpse – dead body. a monstrous injustice? The First Industrial Spy Mancunian22 Samuel Slater (1768-1835) started working in a textile factory when he was 14. be beaten. irritation. to which he belonged. several Americans have named their sons ESPN after a TV sports channel. off went Columba 21 (with his copied Psalter9) to the island of Iona in western Scotland. turn over 13 to harm sth. Onkel Toms Hütte. In the 6th Century Colum Cille. The Patron Saint of IP Thieves One of the earliest cases of an IP dispute comes from Ireland during the Dark Ages. In the 1800s the equivalent of Metallica 32’s James Hetfield was none other than Charles socially ossified to ban – prohibit 27 to disguise oneself as – dress up as. killing. sum 32 a US heavy metal band 30 18 Think in English Issue 144 . Finnian of Moville. find. While studying at Finnian’s monastery. be promoted 24 chances – possibilities 25 class-ridden – hierarchical. On Rhode Island he set up29 a factory using the ‘Slater system’ for manufacturing textiles and when he died aged 67 he was worth30 $9 million (a massive amount31 translated into today’s money).o. Trademarks3 are part of our lives as never before: on an average day4 we encounter fifteen-hundred. 14 appeal – request.Intellectual Property Intellectual property (IP) is in the news almost daily1. So. the future St. British law banned26 the emigration of anyone with knowledge of textile-related technology but Slater disguised himself as27 a farmer28 and took a ship to the newly independent United States in 1789. If people aren’t talking about The Pirate Bay and MegaUpload then they are debating the tax applied to blank2 CDs and DVDs. Diarmait ruled15 in Finnian’s favour. hurt sth. Diarmait was defeated17 and forced to flee18. resolve 16 chagrin – annoyance. – damage sth. Columba refused claiming that the original had not been harmed13 by the making of the copy. Incredibly. the infringement of IP rights seems to be threatening7 the very existence8 of whole industries such as music and cinema. surrender.. The Monstrous Injustice IP rights had not come much further by the mid19th Century. Ironically. An appeal14 was made to King Diarmait to arbitrate. put in danger 8 the very existence – (emphatic) the survival 9 Psalter – devotional book containing versions of psalms (often set to music) 10 eventually – (false friend ) in the end 11 to find out (findfound-found) – discover the truth 12 to hand over – give up.. solicitation 15 to rule – (in this context) decide. 22 to flee (flee-fled-fled) run away 19 synod – special ecclesiastical council 20 bloodshed – carnage. where 3000 warriors lost their lives. camouflage one’s identity by dressing as 28 farmer – agriculturalist 26 29 Photo by HoboJones St. much to Columba’s chagrin16. Columba secretly copied out his teacher’s Psalter9.. from Manchester 23 to rise (rise-rose-risen) – ascend. from where he organized the conversion of the Picts and the Scots. In his fury the future saint convinced the Niall clan. Finnian of Moville – Columba left Mancunian – s. Meanwhile6. while dozens of US girls have been called ‘Infiniti’ after a brand5 of car. be triumphed over 1 Culture | How to Bullshit About. to revolt against the king. Finnian eventually10 found out11 and insisted that Columba hand over12 the copy. almost daily – nearly every day 2 blank – (in this context) recordable. The rebellion came to a head in 561 at the Battle of Cúl Dreimhne. indignation 17 to be defeated – lose. Columba. received religious training from St. cede. The Irish Synod19 then decided that Columba was personally responsible for the bloodshed20 at Cúl Dreimhne and ordered him into exile. the United States was the paradise of copyright-infringers in Victorian times. So from 1783 he dedicated himself to memorizing every detail of the Arkwright manufacturing process. He rose23 to manager but knew that his chances24 of further advancement were non-existent in class-ridden 25 Georgian Britain. that can be used for making copies 3 trademark – legally protected commercial name 4 an average day – a typical day 5 brand – type (with an identifying commercial name) 6 meanwhile – at the same time 7 to threaten – endanger. massacre 21 off went Columba 18 to set up (set-set-set) – establish to be worth – (in this context) have amassed 31 amount – quantity of money. they claimed. Ironic IP Intellectual Politics In the 1999 Presidential Campaign the Bush team were so scared39 that bogus40 websites might be set up29 to ridicule their candidate that they bought 260 domain names including bushsucks. ‘Polo’. such as his own.org – infringed their copyright. Intelligently. However. reconsider 52 for instance – for example 53 in The New York Times. its website – eagles. In 2002 Microsoft threatened 50 litigation against mikerowesoft. spurious 41 ‘X sucks’ (US English) = ‘X is repellent/a loser’ 42 insanity – madness.41 Meanwhile in 2003 a Russian law firm supposedly commenced proceedings against Warner Bros for allegedly basing the face of Dobby the House-Elf in Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets (2002) on that of the Russian President. they backed down51 and generously helped Mr Rowe to set up29 a new business. 2002 33 Postscript Dickens himself who ranted and raved33 against Americans flagrant piracy of British literature. claim 38 no irony was intended – the irony was not intentional 39 to be scared – be frightened.Photo by Adam Bielawski It may come as a surprise to some people that IP rights still exist.com. Vladimir Putin. ■ In 1998 Kembrew McLeod successfully registered the phrase “freedom of expression” with the US Patent and Trademark Office. for each case mentioned discuss who you think is in the right: the plaintiff or the defendant. 33 seconds” 47 noiseless – silent 48 to bully – intimidate 49 but rather – by contrast it is 50 to threaten – (in this context) intimidate with the possibility of 51 to back down – give in.53 to rant and rave – protest furiously 34 to uphold (-hold/-held/-held) – confirm. In 1853 Harriet Beecher Stowe went to court 36 stating37 that a German translation. IP Bullies In 2000 Ralph Lauren successfully bullied48 the US Polo Association into changing the name of their magazine. ratify 35 Dickens’s words 36 to go to court (go-went-gone) – start litigation 37 to state – declare. And what was the section? The chapter on plagiarism! Oregon apologized and revised their handbook. The Planets album Classical Graffiti (2002) featured45 a minute’s silence. for instance52. under threat of litigation. But the US legal system even upheld34 “the monstrous injustice”35 against its own authors. Related Resources Q IP Insanity42 & the Music Industry In 1998 the band The Eagles filed a suit43 against The National Foundation for the Protection of America’s Eagles because. The band dropped44 the case in 2001. predicted back in 2002 that they would have disappeared by now: “I’m fully confident that copyright. Onkel Toms Hütte infringed her copyright on Uncle Tom’s Cabin. be afraid 40 bogus – fake. Mr McLeod’s action was an ironic gesture. Legally it would appear that ‘polo’ is not an equestrian sport but rather49 a sportswear brand5 (owned by Ralph Lauren). Issue 144 Think in English19 . craziness 43 to file a suit – start litigation 44 to drop – (in this context) abandon 45 to feature – include 46 “four minutes. false.com for infringing their copyright. no irony was intended38 when the University of Oregon copied verbatim a section of the teaching handbook published by Stanford University. The judge rejected her case saying that a translation was not a copy of a book. a noiseless47 symphony written in 1952. who seems to be right about most things. will no longer exist in 10 years. When it was revealed that the website’s founder was a guy called Mike Rowe. David Bowie. had been in the charts for a couple of months the producer received a demand for royalties for copyright infringement of John Cage’s 4’33’’46. After the album As a group. Fortunately. Microsoft found itself caught up in a storm of bad publicity. which revealed the convenience 25 of the vehicle and began its widespread 26 use. for this reason 5 agglutinative language – language in which words are formed by uniting other words and elements 6 relatives – relations.o. extremity 33 ballpoint pen – biro 34 over 350 million Rubik’s cubes have been sold over the last 35 years. while Hungarian is an agglutinative5 Uralic language. the word gained additional meanings in some languages as ‘car’ (Spanish coche) or intercity bus in British English. as opposed to 1 2 horse-drawn carriage19 with steel20spring21 suspension: the coach (this is how you’d pronounce Kocs in Hungarian). The mass production of the Biro brothers’ ballpoint pen 33 started after it proved to be efficient under various extreme circumstances that soldiers were exposed to in the Second World War. and even Magyars would find it difficult to find it on a map 19 horse-drawn carriage – 20 steel – type of hardened ferrous metal 21 spring (countable) – 22 Spanish coche also comes from kocsi 23 to spread (spread-spread-spread) – be disseminated 24 throughout – to every part of 25 convenience – (false friend ) usability. (in this context) related languages 7 trend – tendency 8 to boast – brag.The Goulash Connection by András Beck Culture | Language Hungarian and English seem to have few things in common since1 the latter2 belongs to3 the Germanic language family (and thus4 to the world’s largest family. he started to experiment with thicker ink used in newspaper printing. Hungarian. who helped him revolutionize the mechanism with a ball in the tip32 of the pen that deposited the ink onto paper. a light since – (in this context) given that the latter – the last mentioned. congratulate oneself 9 to lay claim to s. architect and professor at the Budapest College of Applied Arts. practicability. ‘coach’ as a sports trainer also derives from the idea of a person pulling a team like horses pull a cart28! A young journalist in Budapest in the late 1920s. it is the tiny14 nearby15 village of Kocs that should be the toponym16 that rings a bell17 around the world18 as it gave its name to the ‘Ferrari’ of the Renaissance. When horses were replaced by engines27. It is estimated that one eighth of the world’s population has played with a Rubik’s cube at least once. but it was his brother. and compared to their relatives6. absorbs some English words and expressions daily – but has it ever given anything in exchange? Photo by Ana Lozano The Land of Inventors Mag yars often boast 8 of having invented a series of the smartest objects ever created from computers to plasma TV. machine cart – 29 to get fed up with (getgot-got) – become sick and tired of 30 fountain pen – 31 to smudge – smear. following the current international trend7. László Bíró. a chemist. Instead of13 Budapest. (in this context) English 3 to belong to – be part of 4 thus – (written) so. Therefore. adjacent 16 toponym – place name 17 to ring a bell (ring-rang-rung) – sound familiar 18 of course it doesn’t. the Indo-European). got fed up tiny – very small nearby – neighbouring. they are used in many countries by a great number of speakers. who developed this mechanical puzzle in 1974. Ballpoint pens are sometimes still referred to as ‘biros’ in the British Isles and the Antipodes. 26 27 28 20 Think in English Issue 144 .22 The coach from Kocs spread 23 throughout24 the known world thanks to the Imperial Mail Service. Furthermore. It is said to be the world’s best-selling toy!34 widespread – generalized engine – motor. blur. both of them are the most spoken languages of their respective families. (lay-laid-laid) – say that one has the right to s.o’s legacy 10 due to – because of 11 border – frontier 12 household name – famous product (or person) 13 instead of – rather than. The mystery of the Rubik’s cube’s origins is much easier to solve than the cube itself: it was Ernő Rubik. functionality 14 15 with29 the fountain pens30 of his time as their ink dried slowly and often smudged 31. be unintentionally extended so that it becomes difficult to read and looks dirty 32 tip – point. However. end. though the neighbouring countries also lay claim to9 some of the inventors (with their inventions included!) due to10 the frequent and chaotic border11 changes in the 20 th Century. Some Hungarian inventions did not only become household names12 in the Anglosphere but also enriched English vocabulary. it was the ‘Black Army’ of Hungary’s most powerful monarch. pulverized. shortly before their suicide! English has an impressive list of synonyms for ‘small’. While some suggest that ‘hussar’ is a loanword 37 in Hungarian as well (coming from the Serbian corruption of a Latin word for ‘pirate’38). gather 56 to make up (make-made-made) – form 57 port-producing – that makes port wine 58 blend – mixture. ■ Related Resources Y pp. Whichever the genuine origin of the term may be. which paprika is exceptionally rich in. the Habsburgs hired44 hussars to prevent 45 the further advance of Islam. 22-23 Which words from your language are recognized internationally? no wonder – it is not surprising that rotting – putrefied 54 grapes – 55 to harvest – collect. which forms an essential part of Magyars’ cuisine and national identity. menace 35 Issue 144 Think in English21 . Schubert and Beethoven. King Matthias. Rossini. Queen Victoria. shepherd 50 hot – spicy 51 ground (adj. When. come 40 to strike back at (strike-struckstruck) – counterattack against 41 encroaching – gradually invading 42 threat – danger. Tokay is produced from the noble to fall to (fall-fell-fallen) – be captured by to hire – employ 45 to prevent – impede. Turks and the British47 thanks to the country’s paprika-flavoured and mostly meat-based stew48 . reduced to particles 43 44 rotting53 grapes54 harvested 55 in the hills around the town of Tokaj in North Hungary. It is unclear whether62 the expression was anglicized by pre-war British governesses who had worked in Budapest or by post-war Hungarian immigrants that invaded Hollywood and succeeded in the early film industry. At the end of the 18th Century hussars spread23 from Russia to Britain. however.Coaches from Kocs Horses for Courses The Hungarian word ‘hussar’. and the Napoleonic Wars saw them in all the armies involved46. boasting59 such distinguished admirers as Louis XIV and XV of France. In Hungarian. who died in the American War of Independence in 1779.) – crushed. made its debut into the English language together with ‘sabre 36’. others believe that it stems39 from the Hungarian word for 20 (húsz) standing for ‘one out of 20’ (hussar units typically consisted of 20 men). stop 46 involved – that participated 47 for the rest of the world it is ‘the land of porn’ 48 stew – meat and vegetables cooked together in water 49 herdsman – pastoralist. meaning a light-cavalry soldier 35. No wonder52 vitamin C. combination 59 to boast – have 60 legend has it – it is rumoured 61 bride – new wife 62 whether – ‘if’ (but ‘if’ cannot be used before ‘or’) 52 53 A Tiny14 Addition A hussar with a sabre light-cavalry soldier – fast-moving military horseman 36 sabre – (from szblya) 37 loanword – term adopted from another language 38 cursarius 39 to stem – derive. was to strike back at40 the encroaching41 Ottoman army: a threat42 to the whole of Catholic Europe during the Early Modern period. Bram Stoker. pick. which make up56 one of the world’s two wine regions under UNESCO’s protection (the other one being port-producing57 Alto Douro in Portugal). was discovered by a Hungarian. The hussars’ great mission. They even got to the Americas – the founder of US cavalry was Michael Kovats. Hungary is ‘the land of goulash’ for Germans. which Hungarian helped to extend with ‘itsy-bitsy ’ (from icipici). and a list of composers including Liszt. which gained an international reputation for the hussars when they almost succeeded in capturing Vienna. ‘goulash’ ( gulyás) means ‘herdsman49’ and refers to a typical soup of the steppes: so if you ever want to order in a Hungarian restaurant and get what you are really asking for. Legend has it60 that Adolph Hitler and his bride61 Eva Braun drank Tokay at their bunker wedding reception. sweet or hot 50 ground 51 pepper. a Hungarian hussar. decades later. the Hungarian Kingdom finally fell to43 the Turks. NobelPrize-winning Albert Szent-Györgyi. say pörkölt – this is what goulash is called in its homeland! A not her Hungarian culinar y contribution to the English language is ‘paprika’. Photo by Ralf Roletschek Gulasch-pörkölt Not Just for Gourmets In Bulgarian artist Yanko Tsvetkov’s maps of stereotypes. however. The best-known type of Tokay is a sweet white blend58. o. If it wasn’t for these husbands. (lie-lay-laid) – be in front of s. this meant getting married well. They received an excellent education in Swiss boarding schools 5. a wealthy4 Jewish couple in Budapest. Hungary. fiasco 8 9 22 Think in English Issue 144 . Zsa Zsa was even crowned6 Miss Hungary in 1936. like their grandparents. Eva Multiple Marriages The Gabor girls adapted themselves to post-war American society with ease.Zsa Zsa Gabor ultimate – (false friend ) definitive to find out (find-found-found) – discover 3 actually – (false friend ) in fact 4 wealthy – affluent. who created the image of Barbie dolls (legend has it that12 he used Zsa Zsa as his muse). 17 of “Getting divorced just because you don’t love a man is almost as silly as getting married just because you do. leading to some B-list films and embarrassing flops13 such as the original Moulin Rouge and Queen of Outer Space with Zsa Zsa. a Turkish diplomat and a Swedish osteopath. The list is unbelievably long. Sári (nicknamed Zsa Zsa) and Éva were born to the Gábors. the girls soon found and seduced three promising millionaires: a Polish count 9. Jack Ryan.. and started the business they were proficient at: marrying millionaires. was married to two of the Gabors: to Zsa Zsa for six years. Their mother was there too. three enchanting daughters named Magda. so a bright future lay ahead of7 them: at that time. elect 7 to lie ahead of s. you’ll be surprised to find out2 that it was actually3 her great-grandfather’s wife who started it all! Hungarian Heritage Sometime during or after World War I.o. they may not have escaped the Holocaust or. If you think Paris Hilton is the ultimate1 example. Notable Gabor-husbands include Conrad Hilton. together they contracted 20 marriages. be expected for s. help count – type of aristocrat (think: count Dracula) 10 raid – (surprise) attack 11 to have been through – have finished with 12 legend has it that – according to legend. 1 2 support – backing. it is rumoured that 13 flop – (colloquial ) failure. they had all been through11 their first husbands. With Mama Gábor’s careful support8. rich 5 boarding school – private residential school 6 to crown s. Having an actor in the family inspired the girls to try to conquer Hollywood. They took refuge in the States.The Glamorous by András Beck Culture | Cinema Gabor Sisters Famous for being famous – anyone could add a zillion names to this category. they might have died in a bombing raid10. – name. aid. nominate. and to Magda for six weeks.o. and British actor George Sanders. which ended in divorce. one was annulled and one of Magda’s husbands died.” . having followed them to California. who besides winning an Academy Award for All About Eve. the founder of Hilton Hotels. prosperous.o. and before the war ended. It was she who. where she played the spoiled15 city wife of a lawyer moving to a farm. intelligent 22 23 ❯❯ “A man in love is incomplete until he has married.” ❯❯ “I never hated a man enough to give him his diamonds back. getting down on all fours16 in a TV show. rumors of infidelities and scandalous divorces. glamorous weddings. have sex with 30 my own – (in this context) men I was married to 31 housekeeper – woman who manages a home. the youngest of them. Eva died after a mysterious accident in Mexico. elevation 26 to pass away – (euphemistic) die 27 she turned 95 on 6th February. in the face with a flat hand 25 rise – ascent. The Gabors always told the press what best suited18 them at the moment.o. provides the voice for a cartoon character 15 spoiled/spoilt – pampered. 2012 28 to be finished – (wordplay) completed. climb.” ■ Related Resources L Do we underestimate the intelligence necessary to be ‘famous for being famous’ for any length of time? Think of some examples to illustrate your answer. Mama Gabor died at the age of 102 in 1997. Zsa Zsa. near 10027. they constantly lied about their age. without knowing that her daughter Magda had passed away26 two months earlier. Then he’s finished28. is divorced and in litigation with her mother. Their headlines21 filled the US press for decades with stories of diamond robberies. Her daughter Francesca Hilton.o. legal claims22. and survived six seasons in the TV comedy Green Acres. Is that too much to ask of a millionaire?” ❯❯ “I’m a great housekeeper31.” ❯❯ “You never really know a man until you have divorced him.” ❯❯ “How many husbands have I had29? You mean apart from my own30?” ❯❯ “I know nothing about sex because I was always married. badly-behaved (because you always get what you want) 16 on all fours – on one’s hands and knees 17 to take off (take-took-taken) – rocket. ruined 29 to have (have-had-had) – (wordplay) marry.” ❯❯ “I call everyone ‘Darling’ because I can’t remember their names. I keep the house. the only child born to any of the Gabor sisters. their religion and anything that seemed uncomfortable in a certain situation. made the sales of the game Twister take off17. is still alive and married to Prince Frederic von Anhalt. Issue 144 Think in English23 .” ❯❯ “I want a man who’s kind and understanding. a playboy who’s 26 years her junior. domestic manager 32 smart – (in this context) clever.o.o. Their alleged19 lovers obviously outnumber their husbands. increase dramatically 18 to best suit s.o. – be most useful for s.did voiceovers14 for Disney films like Aristocats.” ❯❯ “To a smart32 girl men are no problem – they’re the answer. crowded 21 headline – title of a story in a newspaper or magazine 14 legal claims – litigation jail – prison 24 to slap s. 19 alleged – supposed 20 not-so-exclusive – that had many members. Zsa Zsa even spent three days in jail 23 after slapping24 a policeman in 1989! This saga of the incredible rise 25 to fame of the House of Gabor ended when in 1995. and this not-so-exclusive20 club includes playboys. musicians. I get divorced. – hit s. actors and presidents (A-list personalities ranging from Frank Sinatra to JFK). Some pearls of Zsa Zsa’s wisdom: The World According to Zsa Zsa voiceover – (in this context) when s. reasonably 19 to cope with – manage. the ‘Terra Nova’ pemmican – a mixture of dried beef and lard (= animal fat) 25 porridge – oats (= Avena sativa) cooked in water or milk to make a sort of purée 26 unfortunately. weird. Scott’s group fared much worse10: they only reached the Pole on 16th January. survive in 20 manly – virile 21 to pull – drag. Their basic food was pemmican24 and porridge25. Disappointed and short on food they struggled back11 through appalling12 weather. They used dogs to pull their sledges22 and then. This fresh meat was vital to maintaining the Norwegians’ strength. to some degree 17 he had tried using dogs on his first Antarctic expedition (1902-04) but found them unmanageable 18 rather – somewhat. led8 by Roald Amundsen. led by Scott. Amundsen by contrast was a practical man. He planned his trip using ponies. Others – such as Roland Huntford15 – believe that Scott made crucial mistakes that make him morally responsible for the death of his men. while Amundsen was more modern in his attitude. provokes the twin5 emotions of pity6 and admiration. clothes 1 2 in the Antarctic The Bare Facts Two Views of Exploration Yet13 the legacy of Scott is still in dispute. Two rival expeditions left their base camps on either side of the Ross Ice Shelf7 in November 1911. this simply didn’t provide enough calories to compensate their physical exertions 27 above and beyond – beyond. as food to Think in English Issue 144 24 .) – dubious. the trip had to be justified above and beyond27 the mere matter28 of reaching9 the Pole first. Scott’s team spent time collecting specimens of rocks and plants for scientific study. questionable. Finally. The last three members including Scott died at the end of March. left 12 days earlier than the British. when they reached a point that they named “The Butcher32’s Shop” they slaughtered 33 half their huskies – some 30 dogs – and ate them and fed them to34 the surviving dogs. to (feed-fed-fed) – give sth.17 What’s more.Scott & Amundsen Culture | Explorers There is something odd1 in the British psyche that loves a heroic failure above all else2.) – reasonable. solvent 15 The Last Place on Earth (1979) and Race for the South Pole (2011) 16 to some extent – in part. quite. Scott was rather18 pleased when he found that the ponies couldn’t cope with19 the conditions because he believed that the manly20 way to reach the South Pole was by his men pulling21 their own sledges22. The heroic failure. Amundsen which he considered noble animals.26 Finally. who cuts and sells meat 33 to slaughter – butcher. odd – strange. who died 100 years ago this month. under suspicion 4 to cheat – break the rules 5 twin – paired. Scott was an officer and a gentleman. He clothed his men in wolfskins30 following an Inuit31 design. untrustworthy. Photo by The National Archives Scott’s steam yacht. Some – like polar explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes – believe that his plans were sound14 and that he was simply unluckier than his rival Amundsen. Amundsen wasn’t interested in science and focused all his efforts on reaching9 the Pole first. The Norwegian expedition. kill 34 to feed sth. by contrast. arrive at 10 to fare much worse – have many more problems 11 to struggle back – return with difficulty 12 appalling – atrocious 13 yet – (in this context) however 14 sound (adj. unusual above all else – more than anything else 3 suspect (adj. This clothing offered much better protection against the cold. They were back in their base camp by the end of January. occurring together. condolence 7 ice shelf – area of frozen sea 8 to lead (lead-led-led) – captain 9 to reach – get to. The Norwegians made good progress and reached9 the Pole on 14th December. They had 15 kilos of samples29 with them when they died. apart from 28 matter – question 24 29 30 samples – specimens wolf-skin – the coat of a wolf 31 Inuit – a people of the Arctic (formally known as ‘Eskimos’) 32 butcher – s. The greatest heroic failure of them all was Captain Scott. To some extent16 the difference between the two men was that Scott was essentially a Victorian explorer. His team’s clothing was standard polar gear23 made of cotton and wool. haul 22 sledge (UK English) – sled (US English) 23 gear – clothing.o. Successful heroes are potentially suspect3 – maybe they cheated4 – and usually envied. So. joint 6 pity – compassion. But in a more cynical age. his biggest gamble paid off38: he set up39 his base camp on the ice shelf7 rather than40 on dry land like Scott (and Shirase).Photo by Herbert George Ponting (From left to right): Shackleton. This meant that Amundsen was 100km closer to the Pole than Scott when he started. irresponsible 43 to hound – torment 44 freak – exceptional. regularly add to as an account of day-to-day events 52 to learn of – hear of (for the first time) 53 realizing – (false friend ) (being) conscious 54 chance – possibility 55 to look after – care for. instead of 41 to drift out to sea – float off into the sea 42 foolhardy – reckless. And may be some time.” Ryder Haggard or any other Victorian novelist couldn’t have written a more courageous act. “I am just going outside. more to assess – evaluate to wear (wear-wore-worn) – dress in 37 to get (get-got-got) – advance. tofu and some fish. However. reach 38 gamble paid off – risk produced the desired results 39 to set up (set-set-set) – establish 40 rather than – as opposed to. In fact. his camp could have drifted out to sea41 and he would have been universally condemned as foolhardy42. ■ Related Resources U Does your culture celebrate heroic failures? Tales of Valour Issue 144 Think in English25 . carnage 61 to leave no room for (leave-left-left) – eliminate the opportunity for 62 fellow adventurer – colleague in exploration 63 airship – zeppelin 64 to pay attention to (pay-paid-paid) – focus attention on The tragedy was made all the more49 poignant50 by Scott’s dignified diary entries 51 and letters. Scott and his two surviving companions died in a tent just45 18km from their depot46 having been trapped47 for a week in a blizzard48. the world that valued such valour was swept away58 just45 a few years later in the trenches59 of the Great War where the mechanized slaughter60 of tens of thousands in a few hours left no room for61 individual heroism. which were discovered in November 1912 along with the three men’s bodies. emotive 51 diary entries – comments in a book that you 35 36 practical and more experienced than Scott. His team wore36 animal skins but his expedition didn’t get37 further than 80º South. additionally 50 poignant – piteous. The Luck Factor Amundsen reached the Pole first because he was more focused. Scott and Wilson Captain Scott’s birthday dinner (6 June 1911) The Forgotten Rival Scott’s alleged ineptitude can perhaps be assessed 35 in relation to the third (and almost forgotten) competitor for the Pole. little attention was paid to 64 the heroic death of probably the greatest polar explorer ever. Realizing53 that the others had almost no chance 54 of reaching the depot 46 if they had to look after55 him. take care of 56 to stumble out – leave walking with difficulty 57 frostbitten – gangrenous because of the cold 58 to sweep away (sweep-swept-swept) – eliminate 59 trench – protective channel cut in the ground in which soldiers lived (especially on the Western Front) 60 slaughter – massacring. Amundsen died on a rescue mission to save fellow adventurer62 Umberto Nobile who had crashed his airship 63 near the North Pole in 1928. Scott and most of his team would have survived if they hadn’t had very bad luck. Besides. Oates stumbled out56 into the blizzard48 on his frostbitten57 feet saying as he left. there was a risk: if the ice had broken up. The temperature was usually around -30ºC at that time of year but the cold fell to below -40ºC. imprudent. They were hounded43 by freak44 weather on their way back. Shirase’s team’s diet was based on rice. Unfortunately. It was then that the world learned of52 the supreme sacrifice of team-member Lawrence Oates. moving. He took dogs but most of them died aboard ship before they even reached the Antarctic. aberrant 45 just – (in this context) only 46 depot /'depou/ – deposit of food and provisions 47 to be trapped – be confined. Like Scott he collected a number of specimens that proved very useful for the scientists of the day. Japanese explorer Nobu Shirase arrived in Antarctica two days after Scott had reached the Pole (and a month after Amundsen). be isolated 48 blizzard – snowstorm 49 all the more – (emphatic) more. Generic Names: New Testament ❯❯ The Annunciation: Mary hears that her future is all planned out11 for her. Sebastian -Hans Baldung advisable – desirable. It should be ‘The Adoration of the Magi’ /'meiʤai/. Salomé was also Herod’s step-daughter (they were a rather incestuous family!) 16 to lower – take sth. Paul: Having fallen off his horse and gone blind13 Saul of Tarsus gets the message. ❯❯ The Flight into Egypt : the Holy to be planned out – be programmed heaven – the Christian paradise 13 to go blind (go-went-gone) – lose one’s sight. ❯❯ The Dance of Salome: Herod just14 can’t say ‘no’ to his dancing niece15. ❯❯ Daniel in the Lions’ Den: of course it’s not really a den4 but a cage5 or an enclosure but the temptation to produce consonance6 is simply irresistible for English-speakers.If you want to be able to talk about art in English it is advisable1 that you learn the central generic names. ❯❯ Lot and His Daughters: in the background Lot’s wife discovers the meaning of ‘curiosity killed the cat9’ as she is turned into10 a pillar of salt. Generic Names: Old Testament ❯❯ Cain and Abel: an image of the first fratricide. George and the Dragon -Paolo Uccello ❯❯ The Fall = ❯❯ Adam and Eve Expelled from Paradise: fig leaves7 and angst8. cave (= cavern) inhabited by wild animals 5 cage – enclosure made out of parallel and perpendicular metal bars 6 consonance – repetition of the consonant 1 ❯❯ The Assumption of the Virgin: Mary floats up to heaven12 . Notice that the Philistine champion’s name is pronounced /gə'laiəθ/ in English. ❯❯ The Descent from the Cross: Jesus’ dead body being lowered16 after the crucifixion. cause sth. ❯❯ The Conversion of St. ❯❯ Jacob Wrestling the Angel: the Biblical origins of a popular sport. The Titles of Paintings: Part 1 Culture | art St. recommended. Notice that ‘annunciation’ is not used in any other context in Modern English. For instance2. to descend 11 12 26 Think in English Issue 144 . sounds at the beginning and end of the stressed syllable (here /d/ + /n/) 7 fig leaf – piece of foliage used in religious images to cover the genitals of Adam and Eve 8 angst – anxiety. if you refer to a painting as ‘The Adoration of the Magic Kings’ native speakers will have difficulty suppressing a laugh. lose one’s ability to see 14 just – (in this context) simply 15 his niece – (in this context) his brother’s daughter. Notice that ‘assumption’ or ‘expectation’ usually means ‘supposition’ in English. distress 9 curiosity killed the cat – being inquisitive can get you into trouble (= create problems for oneself) 10 to be turned into – be converted into. ❯❯ The Crucifixion: notice that this is always spelt with an ‘x’. down. prudent. ❯❯ David and Goliath: the Judean teenager demonstrates the advantages of artillery. Salomé – bad decapitator. preferable. apprehension. helpful 2 for instance – for example 3 to be related through assonance – have the same vowel sound 4 den – lair. Notice that the brother’s names are related through assonance3 in English: Cain /kein/ and Abel /'eibəl/. ❯❯ Judith and Holofernes: the original Nikita. become The Martyrdom of St. Don’t confuse this with Judith and the Head of Holofernes and remember: Judith – good decapitator. fear. also 20 don’t notice – are not conscious. ❯❯ The Massacre of the Innocents: Herod destroys the market for the Bethlehem branch 21 of the Early Learning Centre22 . ❯❯ The Pietà: the Virgin Mary weeping23 over Christ’s dead body. kings. can you describe them to the rest of the class to see if they do? Issue 144 Think in English27 . rather than. ❯❯ The Raising of Lazarus: were all those movies about the Mummy24 first suggested by one of these paintings? Generic Names: Hagiolatry25 ❯❯ The Martyrdom of St. ❯❯ The Kiss of Judas = ❯❯ The Betrayal18 of Christ: Mr Iscariot provides the excuse for two thousand years of antisemitism. sheep. ❯❯ St. ❯❯ The Virgin /Madonna and Child: self-explanatory. non-spiritual. ❯❯ The Holy Family: the Virgin and Child plus Joseph. George and the Dragon: the Turkish knight 31 does a bit of pest-control32 . ❯❯ St. 39 burial /'beriəl/ – interment. thus28 becoming a gay icon. funeral. ■ Related Resources N Do you know the names of your favourite paintings in English? If not.Family escapes from Herod: nothing to do with17 EgyptAir. in contrast to 37 the sine qua non of – necessary for 38 I have excluded those paintings with the generic titles in the first part of the article and given preference to more difficult titles. introduce By their nature religious paintings tend to fall into generic categories instead of36 having individualized names. a cow and a donkey) 31 knight – (in this context) mediaeval warrior on a horse 32 pest-control – elimination of animals that are considered dangerous or unhygienic 33 dirty – (in this context) lascivious 34 worldly – earthly. terrestrial. ❯❯ The (Return of the) Prodigal Son: the world’s favourite parable. don’t realize 21 branch – subsidiary shop 22 a British shop that sells educational products for babies 23 to weep (weep-wept-wept) – cry. type. Weren’t Jesus and all the other disciples Jewish as well19? ❯❯ The Last Supper: a scene that is almost impossible to paint realistically. ❯❯ Susanna and the Elders: the original dirty33 old men. opulence 36 instead of – as opposed to. material. funerary rites 40 to plug – (in this context) write. materialistic 35 wealth – riches. just14 plug40 the name into Google Images. Even so. ❯❯ Samson and Delilah: the Israelite strongman gets the worst haircut ever. hence 29 to reward – recompense 17 30 Raising of Lazarus -Giotto di Bondone Nativity scene – model of the birth of Jesus (typically with shepherds. shed tears 24 mummy – 25 hagiolatry – the veneration of saints 26 target – (false friend/literally) 27 archery /'a:rt∫əri/ – 28 thus – (written) in this way. some of the world’s most famous pictures are Christian paintings with specific titles. Sebastian: Roman martyr used as a target26 for archery27 practice. The Garden of Earthly Delights -Hieronymus Bosch Individual Titles: Samson and Delilah -Rubens to have nothing to do with (have-had-had) – be completely unrelated to 18 betrayal of – treachery/perfidy against 19 as well – too. entombment. ❯❯ The Temptation of Christ: Satan offers Jesus worldly34 wealth35. Knowing the names of these five pictures is the sine qua non of37 artistic credibility in the Englishspeaking world38: ❯❯ The Burial39 of the Count of Orgaz by El Greco ❯❯ The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo ❯❯ The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch ❯❯ The Virgin of the Rocks by Leonardo da Vinci Christian Images If you don’t recognize any of these titles. though most people don’t notice20. Francis Receiving the Stigmata: the Saint is ‘rewarded29’ for inventing Nativity scenes30. Now I will give you some feedback. It wasn’t very good. you shouldn’t 18 fault – error.o. what did they say? recruitment agency – company that evaluates prospective employees for other companies 10 candidate – job applicant. opinions. It’s all in psychobabble21. Candidate: That’s interesting. There’s no point17 getting defensive about it. is there anything you would advise me to do22 differently in the future? Agency: Sure. Agency: OK. responsibility 19 psychometric test – psychological evaluation 20 stuff – (informal ) things 21 psychobabble – psychological jargon. it was just11 boring. Your answers were too long. It is important because it gives people information that they might not be aware of4 and gives them the opportunity to change or improve5. supervise 1 2 16 17 whatever – whatever you say. Agency: Whatever16. nothing to worry about. interviewee 11 just – (in this context) simply 12 slide – transparent photograph which is projected onto a white surface 13 figures – numbers. Candidate: And. should do Think in English Issue 144 28 . to do – recommend that s. Candidate: But I only answered the questions you asked me. Photo by Marina Carresi Dialogue 1 A recruitment agency9 gives feedback2 to a candidate10 after a selection process. 3 behaviour (UK English) – behavior (US English) 4 to be aware of – be conscious of 5 to improve – get better. statistics 14 to apply for – solicit. job-seeker. prospective employee. Agency: I’m just11 giving you the feedback2. Candidate: Oh? Agency: No. Candidate: In what way? Agency: Generally. It is standard6 to complete a feedback questionnaire after a training course and during a performancereview meeting7 but there are many other work situations where feedback2 is useful. Agency: Anyway. Many thanks to George for allowing1 us to use it. regulate. Candidate: So. just11 the usual stuff20. your psychometric test19 results were OK. offer a better service 6 to be standard – be accepted practice 7 performance-review meeting – session in which a manager analyzes and comments on an employee’s work over a specified period 8 to manage – organize. oh OK there’s no point – it’s not worth. colleagues and customers.Language | FunctiOnal ENglish Giving Feedback Read the two feedback dialogues: a) Which feedback is better? Why? b) How is it different? This extract comes from Business English Phrase Book by George Sandford. there’s no use. Your interview wasn’t much better. In fact. managers. Just11 don’t be so boring. one’s response to sth. This could be to subordinates. the whole interview was too long. Candidate: I’m not but it’s not my fault18 if you asked too many questions. I hate slides12 with lots of figures13. to allow – permit feedback – reactions. Agency: Oh. Agency: Well. your presentation was very boring. It is part of the process of managing8 expectation and explaining what we need other people to do. I’ll post you the report but you won’t understand it. Candidate: But it would be useful to have a bit more detail. have I got the job? Agency: I can’t say right now but we’ll let you know if you are successful. Candidate: But it is a Financial Controller position I’m applying for14 and I was asked to prepare a cost-saving budget15. try to obtain 15 budget – financial plan 9 ❯❯ Overview Giving feedback 2 involves giving people information about your observations and experiences of their behaviour3 or performance. the impenetrable language of psychotherapy 22 to advise s.o. Candidate: Really? Agency: Really. make a sale 27 28 32 ❯❯ Business English Phrasebook is available in electronic format from Amazon. how do you think that went? Candidate: Quite well. I’ve left him some samples25 and given him my card. relax the pressure 29 to avoid – not confront the possibility of 30 rejection – refusal. Trainer: What aspects were you pleased with? Candidate: I think the client was pleased that I’d researched23 his company. anything else? Candidate: I think I showed good product knowledge and explained our services well. I noticed that. evaluate.) – sort. you don’t get. 24 close – (in this context) final part in which agreement is reached 25 sample – free trial product 26 to rate – assess. how do you think that went? Candidate: I’m not sure. from a selling point of view. Trainer: So.Dialogue 2 A Sales Trainer gives feedback to a Salesman after a sales visit. judge 23 Photo by Marina Carresi Trainer: OK. Trainer: OK. How about the close24 of the sale. let’s work out33 some kind34 of training plan. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT! Issue 144 Think in English29 . Trainer: And what do you think are the consequences of avoiding 29 rejection30? Candidate: I guess27 if you don’t ask. – (in this context) read up on sth. Trainer: Yes. Trainer: So what do you need to do differently in the future? Candidate: Close31! to research sth. that was excellent. I didn’t want to get rejected. let’s! I guess – I suppose to back off – retreat. Trainer: And why do you think that is? Candidate: I guess27 I backed off28 when it came to the close24. how would you rate26 the success of the call on a scale of one to ten? Candidate: Hm. so you miss the sale anyway. Trainer: Yes. type Need extra practice? Join us on Relevant videos articles images and a chatgroup on the topics in this magazine. Candidate: Yes. not being accepted 31 to close – (in this context) reach an agreement. Do you feel you have the necessary closing techniques 32 or would it help to have some methods and phrases? Candidate: I think I could use some. inform oneself about sth. Trainer: So.es Related Resources W Track 9 Is feedback properly organized in your company/school? How could it be improved? closing technique – strategy for achieving agreement 33 to work out – determine 34 kind (n.. I suppose it’s only a three. route. The captain. a highly contagious viral disease 21 the Stars and Stripes – the US flag 22 by and large – most of the time. the herd and the plowman.Language | Common Mistakes Issues of Agreement The curfew1 tolls2 the knell3 of parting4 day. In other words if the word before a quasicoordinator is singular. in the plural) then the answer could be that the subjects are the curfew bell. there is a third group of words which can be singular or plural. The subject could be the first noun in the poem. supports23 you in what you are trying to do. along with all your other friends. e. as well as. However. But Spicy kebabs are our speciality. Quasi-Coordinators Quasi-coordinators – such as along with. the verb should be singular too: e. e. We have already seen the example of curfew – evening bell rung around 8 o’clock to toll (usually intransitive) – (of bells) ring. However.” if we see them as a collection of individual animals. people. Jackie. accompanied by. The subject could be the herd. the subject is less likely to be16 the herd because the cattle17 already have a plural verb (‘wind’) and it would be considered poor grammar to view a noun as singular and plural in the same sentence. crossroads . has called for a minutes silence to commemorate the tragedy. the subject determines the verb: e. ‘herd’. in a non-poetical context it would certainly be considered a problem. 15-17 those are the opening lines of one of the best-known and best-loved poems in the English language. accompanied by the rest of the team. the Stars and Stripes21 and the news – but are in fact singular. walk exhibiting signs of exhaustion 13 weary – tired. Thomas Gray may have wanted to produce this unsettling18 ambiguity.g. There is a tendency in US English to prefer singular forms in these constructions and for UK English to prefer the plural but by and large22 you can use either. management and the team. Gray’s Elegy. trajectory 9 an awful long way – (emphatic) a great distance the subject is less likely to be – it is less probable that the subject is 17 cattle – cows. And leaves the world to darkness and to me. sound. The language also has words that look singular – cattle17. and the police – but are in fact plural. Some – like aircraft and sheep – simply use the same form in singular or plural. wild) 10 plowman – ploughman (UK only) 11 homeward – going in the direction of one’s home 12 to plod – trudge. Our speciality is spicy kebabs. leaving. not to mention. The subject could be the plowman. together with – seem similar to ‘and’ but they do not incorporate what comes after into the grammatical subject. though the comma at the end of the third line tends to isolate him from the verb. ‘leaves’ is singular. As we saw on pp. exhausted 14 way – path.g.g. Unstable Plurals English has words which look plural – such as measles20. dying 5 lowing – making a typical bovine sound mooing 6 herd – (in this context) group of cows 7 to wind (wind-wound-wound) – meander. disconcerting. which can be considered a singular unity or a plural group. Cars are his passion.. We would say “the herd is” if we are considering the unity of the group but “the herd are. ‘the curfew (bell)’ – but it’s an awful long way15 from the verb. (in this context) herd 18 unsettling – uneasy. in general 23 to support – back.g. electronics . Others depend on how we choose to conceive them. mostly. Subject-Complement Agreement If the number of the subject doesn’t agree with the number of the compliment. chime (associated with announcing a death) 4 parting (adj.. However.e. Other examples include: the government . But His passion is cars. sound 3 knell – (of a bell ) stroke.) – departing. However. perplexing 19 troublesome – problematic 20 measles – rubeola. Now here’s a question: who or what is the subject of ‘leaves’? If the verb in the fourth line had been ‘leave’ (i. defend 15 16 30 Think in English Issue 144 . This article looks at similar cases of troublesome19 agreement between subject and verb. The lowing5 herd6 wind7 slowly o’er8 the lea9 The plowman10 homeward11 plods12 his weary13 way14. zigzag 8 o’er – over 1 2 Singular Phrases A common mistake amongst native speakers is to treat a singular phrase as a plural because the words nearest the verb are plural: lea – field that has been left fallow (= unploughed. road. Sure. they should be singular.g. in terms of. University of North Carolina Press) 31 otherwise – in any other way. belief in oneself 34 means – way.g. try to get it right.. There is In spoken English ‘there is’ or rather27 “there’s” is often used where formally we should use ‘there are’: e. articles. images and a chat group on the topics in the magazine. The fact is that I have heard those lines dozens of times and only recently have I noticed the ambiguity – and only then when it was pointed out29 in an essay by W. the plural sounds better: e.. Carresi Relevant videos. A total of 50 incidents were (or was) reported last year. A maximum of 40 people are allowed26 in the gallery at any one time. As a result. method. making sense of texts that are otherwise31 ambiguous or even illogical. you shouldn’t fret32 too much about agreement. ‘is’ sounds pedantic). be harmed 26 to allow – permit 27 or rather – or to be more precise 28 as far as. Hutchings... (Again..Photo by Marina Carresi Cattle: the lowing herd Photo by Belén Gutiérrez Our specialty is spicy kebabs. refer to 24 25 The article takes a relaxed attitude to agreement – do you agree with this? Syntax of Death in Studies in Philology 81. ■ Compensation We’re waiting to hear from you! Join other Thinkers around the world in our community. A number of policemen were injured25 one out of seven – 14% of to be injured – be hurt. in the confrontation. e. In any case reading in a foreign language is a specific experience. Often. (‘was’ sounds ridiculous) e. e. One out of seven24 cats is colour-blind.g. Related Resources A 30 The Limits of Singular Phrases The relative usefulness of logic in the case of singular phrases can be illustrated by subjects beginning ‘a number of ’. out – mention. This is not something to worry about in speech but should be corrected in formal written contexts. e. 4 (Fall 1984. Focus on it in exams and when writing essays. Neither of the men was left-handed. was concerned – as regards.g. 30 The mind tends to compensate for non-agreement. Almost certainly when you read it you didn’t notice anything especially strange as far as agreement was concerned28. Issue 144 Think in English31 .. 29 to point sth. however. ‘a total of ’. no. Such mistakes are of some importance when writing but it is pedantic to worry about them in speech. Formally. Photo by Sara L. e. ‘a maximum of ’ and ‘a handful of ’. medium I’d just like to return to that first verse of Gray’s Elegy. None of my friends is rich.g.g.g. But fluency and selfconfidence33 are much more important when using English as a practical means34 of communication. There’s a lot of people who seem to think so. without this 32 to fret – worry 33 self-confidence – self-assurance.. route 14 madding crowd – tumultuous multitude 15 strife – conflict 16 sober – (in this context) sedate. not even excepting Hamlet ”. “The paths to glory” also has a double reading.5 Titles There was a time when a significant percentage of educated Victorians could have quoted you large 6 chunks7 of Gray’s Elegy. stupidity. leave the path of righteousness 18 city-dwellers – urbanites 19 since – (in this context) given that 11 12 steamy – torrid. The Hardy title comes from verses 73-74 of the Elegy: Far from the madding crowd14’s ignoble strife15 Their sober16 wishes never learn’d to stray17. It’s a similar idea to ‘soul mate’. number of lines 4 per linear /'liniər/ inch – in relation to its length3 5 Charles Cudworth in 1971 6 large – (false friend ) big 7 chunk – (informal ) section 8 nowadays – these days 9 by heart – verbatim. idiocy 29 wise – sagacious. too. say 3 length – (in this context) duration. Language | Idioms Gray was suggesting that the lives of rural people were exemplary compared to the scandalous lives of city-dwellers18. the Elegy has been plundered11 for titles. Two people are kindred spirits when they share25 the same ideas and interests. perspicacious 20 21 22 32 Think in English Issue 144 . nowadays 8 few people have time to learn poetry by heart9 but bits of the poem still regularly find themselves10 as quotations at the beginning of diverse books. where ignorance is bliss26 . 1747) Gray coined23 the expression ‘ignorance is bliss’: No more. a novel (1874) by Thomas Hardy12 and Paths13 of Glory (1957). serious 17 to stray – wander off.Gray’s Phrases Herbert Starr plainly1 stated2 in relation to Gray’s Elegy. ’Tis27 folly28 to be wise29. word for word 10 find themselves – (in this context) are used 1 2 to plunder – pillage made into a film starring Julie Christie in 1967 13 path – trajectory. a film by Stanley Kubrick starring Kirk Douglas. ardent lead but to the grave – inevitably end in death line 36 of the Elegy 23 to coin – invent (a word or expression) 24 inquire thy fate – ( poetic) ask what happened to you 25 to share – (in this context) both have 26 bliss – a state of ecstasy. pure joy 27 ’tis – (archaic) it is 28 folly – foolishness. In fact. plainly – clearly. 99-100. Hardy was using the title ironically since19 his rural novel is full of steamy20 passion. in a letter to Dr Wharton. Of course. It sounds like a glorification of war unless you know that the full line is: The paths of glory lead but to the grave21. ❯❯ What has posterity ever done for us? This is the concise version of Gray’s comment. you can’t worry about it”. what has it ever done for us?” ■ Related Resources 2 Which work of literature do you think has most influenced everyday phrases in your language? Everyday Idioms ❯❯ kindred spirit In line 96 of his Elegy Gray coined23 the assonant expression ‘kindred spirit’: Some kindred spirit shall inquire thy fate24. “As to posterity. Today the expression means “if you don’t know about a problem. In other words it is “a work which probably contains more famous quotations per linear inch4 of text than any other in the English language. transgress. frankly to state – declare. The best known examples are Far From the Madding Crowd. “Probably no other poem of the same length3 has contributed so many famous phrases to our language.22 ❯❯ ignorance is bliss In his Ode on the Distant Prospect of Eton College (ll. smoking is the opposite.) – period of relaxation/repose 19 to catch one’s breath (catch-caught-caught) – normalize one’s breathing VERB breathe8 sheathe9 wreathe10 The only other word in English containing -eath. some people use a breather to have a cigarette!20 (which is typically used to make shoes and jackets) 13 heather – (Calluna vulgaris) the purple plant in the photo 14 to break (break-broke-broken) – infringe 15 are likely to – will probably 16 to come across (come-came-come) – encounter 17 brief – short 18 rest (n. literally ‘to take a breather’ implies breathing better. All such -eathe words are pronounced /i:ð/: NOUN breath sheath wreath 1 2 Photo by David Spencer -eather words I would like to be able to tell you that all -eather words are pronounced /eðər/ e. Most words that end in -eath are pronounced /i:θ/: ❯❯ beneath 2 . two important words ending in -eath are pronounced /eθ/: ❯❯ death. adorn (with plants) 11 feather – piece of plumage 12 leather – hide. under 3 heath – moorland. which perversely is pronounced /’hi:ðən/. the thick skin of cows Issue 144 Think in English33 . Words containing the letter combination -eath. Ironically. prophylactic 5 wreath – 6 to bequeath – leave/ donate in inheritance 7 to be turned into – be converted into. heath 3 . 21 heathen – pagan 22 leather-clad – wearing leather clothes – especially a leather jacket 23 breathless – out-ofbreath.is ‘heathen21’. panting 24 to be going on – be happening. land that is not good enough for agriculture 4 sheath – cover. there is a colloquial word ‘a breather ’ /bri:ðər/ which breaks14 the rule. wreath5 However. breath Just to complicate things a bit more. feather 11. So the next time you see a leatherclad22 breathless23 heathen21 taking a breather amongst the heather13 on the heath3 you should be able to pronounce what ’s going on24. ■ Related Resources M Track 20 Is learning a single (ridiculous) phrase the best way to fix illogical pronunciations in your memory? i.g.Language | Pronunciation A Breathless Heathen A leather-clad breathless heathen taking a breather amongst the heather on the heath. sheath4. gasping. one word ending -eath is pronounced /i:ð/: ❯❯ bequeath6 Nouns ending in -eath are turned into7 verbs by adding an -e to the end. below. You are likely to15 come across16 this noun in the colloquial expression.tend to cause a lot of problems because both the digraph -ea. Here we offer you a guide to 16 troublesome1 words. ‘to take a breather’ which means to have a brief17 rest18 to catch one’s breath19 after a strenuous activity. condom. leather 12 . Unfortunately.and the diagraph -thhave more than one pronunciation. heather 13. underneath . become 8 to breathe – inhale and exhale 9 to sheathe – cover with a sheath 10 to wreathe – decorate. weather That’s almost true.e. be occurring 20 troublesome – problematic beneath – underneath. attain.g. the individual who cannot advance is a woman. wide-ranging8 reforms in the labour market. ❯❯ a balancing act = when you are trying to satisfy two groups or interests that require different things. try to achieve 6 goal – objective 7 to achieve – accomplish. ❯❯ That’s the way the cookie crumbles9 = that’s life. ❯❯ blueprint (for success) = a plan for achieving7 something. that is exactly what one would expect to happen: e. It’s hard1 to legislate away2 glass ceilings because they are inherently informal and sometimes even unacknowledged. wide-ranging – extensive. work towards. Literally. a blueprint was a type of photograph on blue paper illustrating the design of a machine or building: e. Now we’re ready to start exporting. satisfied to pursue – strive for. obtain 5 34 Think in English Issue 144 . ❯❯ surf the web/net = use the World-Wide Web: e. She has to perform a balancing/ juggling act to keep her family and boss contented4 while pursuing5 her more spiritual goals6. assign 4 contented – happy. The data from the market research company was the missing piece of the puzzle we needed. That’s just the way the cookie crumbles. You’ll have to do a three-month unpaid apprenticeship if you want to work here.g. ❯❯ a glass ceiling = invisible limits on an individual’s possibilities for promotion. ❯❯ Out of the frying pan into the fire = escape one bad situation only to find oneself in one that is even worse. break into particles 10 youngsters – young people 8 9 ❯❯ the missing piece of the puzzle = the necessary information that you don’t have: e. Usually. distribute. sometimes a member of an ethnic minority: e. all-encompassing to crumble – disintegrate.g.g.Language | Idioms Business Idioms Illustrated: Part 2 This is similar to: ❯❯ be a juggling act = be difficult to apportion3 time between different aspects of one’s life: e. None of this will bother the y o u n g s t e r s 10 .g.g. they’ve been surfing the Net since they could walk. He presented his blueprint for 1 2 hard – (in this context) difficult to legislate away – abolish by law 3 to apportion – allocate. arise.g. Literally.o’s toes = offend s. ❯❯ tread on s. ■ ❯❯ a slice of the pie/cake = a share in19 the profits.g.g.g. who has recently joined the company 22 large – (false friend ) big 23 can afford to – have enough money to 24 ahead of the game – in front.e.g.net Issue 144 Think in English35 . The allusion is to a cardplayer who has a card up his/her sleeve: e. They keep pushing for further concessions but I really have nothing up my sleeve. I didn’t realize18 that this was your specialist area. in the vanguard 18 Special Offer Buy a digital version of our Job Interview Special for only 2€! For more details visit: www. Be very careful what you say. Something’s come up15. which is often what keeps them ahead of the game24. ❯❯ have nothing up one’s sleeve11 [have-had-had] = not have a secret plan or alternative if things go wrong12. What you see is what there is.o’s toes16 [tread-trod-trodden] (UK English only) ❯❯ step on s.o. Large22 corporations can afford to23 employ people for blue-sky research. occur 16 toes – digits on one’s feet 17 to encroach on – intrude on.thinkinenglish. ❯❯ bridge the gap = reduce or eliminate the difference between to groups or things: e. be unsuccessful 13 eggshell – the hard outer covering around an egg 14 to warn s. The big question is how to create a dynamic economy in which everyone gets a slice of the pie/cake. trespass on. The plan is to bridge the IT gap20 between our older employees and the new recruits21. caution 15 to come up (come-came-come) – emerge. 11 12 interfere with to realize – (false friend ) be conscious of 19 share in – portion of 20 IT gap – difference in knowledge and experience of information technology (IT) 21 recruit – (in this context) s. Related Resources X Modern educational theory insists on the importance of combining images with text as a means of faster learning? Do you agree or is it just dumbing down? sleeve – part of a shirt that covers one’s arm to go wrong (go-went-gone) – go badly. especially by encroaching on17 his/her privileges: e. – advise.g.o. I’m sorry. a rain check is a ticket for an outdoor event which is valid for a future event if the original event is cancelled (because of rain): e. I didn’t mean to step on your toes. I warn14 you: you’re walking on eggshells here.g. not succeed. a percentage of the benefits: e. ❯❯ take a rain check [take-took-taken] = postpone a plan.o. I’m gonna have to take a rain check on that drink. fail. ❯❯ walk on eggshells13 = be extremely cautious about the words one uses or about one’s actions: ❯❯ blue-sky thinking/research = ideas/research that are/is not directed towards any immediate practical or commercial goal6: e. o.o. bring s. ❯❯ EXPLANATION: in US English ‘fag’ is a reasonably offensive term for a gay man. etc. Sexual Revolution Some time ago two teachers at university. If it’s any consolation for Niall.. however. be present at 8 without a hitch – perfectly.o.o.o.. 7 to attend – (false friend ) go to. 6 to ferry s. Try to work out the misunderstanding before reading the ‘EXPLANATIONS’. known him all my life. without a hitch8. This was absolutely Language | US vs. we’ll call him Niall. Here are some examples. jointly use 24 to talk at cross-purposes – talk but understanding that the conversation is about significantly different things 18 Photo by Weirdoldhattie 1 2 A ‘fag’ factory in Bristol 11 A public-school fag amusing – funny. He was my fag at Eton. the two of them were driving along passing through the centre of Bristol and Mr Charles commented on the impressive architecture. A British reporter. of course all of this was built with fag money10”. cleaning. Amusing1 and embarrassing confusions do. Brits and Yankees have few real difficulties interacting because we are all increasingly exposed to each other’s varieties. no problem at all as Niall is not in the slightest9 homophobic. consume 14 to give sth. fetch s. humorous do arise – (emphatic) arise. The Briton was scandalized for several minutes as they talked at cross-purposes24. The last five minutes of the journey were passed in embarrassed silence. up (give-gave-given) – renounce sth. So. was at a cocktail party in America in the 1970s when he mentioned that he used to get through13 20 fags a day but gave them up14 because they were bad for his health. were chatting20 about their jobs.Anecdotes Illustrating Real Confusion The Special Relationship3 Up in Smoke4 A friend of mine. Niall. replied. without thinking. His bosses asked him recently to go and pick up5 an important client from an American corporation at Bristol airport and ferry6 him to the meeting they were both going to attend7 in the city.o.). He once told the anecdote of a British and American diplomat starting up a conversation: US diplomat : Do you know Lord [_______] by any chance17? British diplomat: Yes. create a bigger problem 13 to get through (get-got-got) – use. I’ll say this for – one thing I have to admit about 19 public school – (UK English) elite private secondary school 20 to chat – converse. up – collect s. chauffeur s. UK In theory there are some 1000 concepts that are expressed differently in British and American English. He desperately tried to ‘backpedal11’ but of course that only made matters worse12. such confusions with the word ‘fag’ are frequent.o. At one point the American remarked21 that at his college22 they now had male and female students sharing23 the same dormitory. at a party 16 to broadcast (-cast/-cast/-cast) – transmit (on TV or radio) 17 by any chance – possibly Think in English Issue 144 . It was quite clear to Niall that Mr Charles was openly gay. The worst of it was that Niall knew perfectly well that ‘fag’ wasn’t used for cigarette in US English. Mr Charles looked horrified. John Smith. in practise. 15 party-goer – s. occur 3 name given to US-UK diplomatic relations 4 to go up in smoke (go-went-gone) – be destroyed 5 to pick s. Further ‘Fag’ Confusion Finally. arise2.. Some of the local party-goers15 were scandalized. talk informally 21 to remark – comment 22 college – (US English) university 23 to share – (in this context) cohabit in.o. works as a lawyer in Britain. others were impressed. you certainly are frank! ❯❯ EXPLANATION: British public schools19 used to have a system called ‘fagging’ by which a younger schoolboy worked as a servant for an older boy (making tea. However. So. US diplomat: Well! I’ll say this for18 you British. – transport s. one British one American. The younger boy was called the older boy’s ‘fag’. Niall went to the airport and picked up his American. the late Alistair Cooke broadcast16 a weekly ‘Letter from America’ on BBC radio for decades during the second half of the 20th Century. we’ll call him Mr Charles. without any problems 9 in the slightest – in any way 10 fag money – (UK English) profits/capital from 36 the tobacco industry to backpedal – retract or modify what one has said 12 to make matters worse (make-made-made) – worsen the situation. “Yes. Benjamin Spock ❯❯ EXPLANATION: In America a dormitory is a residential building. encouragement – motivation. disagree 41 motion – proposal. However. recommendation 42 to table – (UK English) present. The British insisted they wanted to table42 the motion. not the Vulcan from Star Trek). The most frequent use is in ‘spelling bee’ a contest31 to see32 who can spell difficult words correctly. ■ 46 Turning the Tables Sometimes British-American noncommunication can even affect important decisions. Benjamin Spock (no. ❯❯ EXPLANATION: ‘to table something’ in US English means to postpone it or delay it. According to Thomas Pyles in Words and Ways of American English a British visitor in the 18th Century was perplexed when he was told i. Unwelcome Encouragement36 Several Britons I know have caused embarrassment in the USA when they have supportively37 told an American friend to “keep your pecker up!38” ❯❯ EXPLANATION: for an American ‘pecker’ is a colloquial term for a penis. Once at an international conference39 in Geneva the British and American delegations spent some time arguing40 about a British motion41 to the conference. activity 31 contest – competition 32 to see (see-saw-seen) – determine 33 cellar – basement. support supportively – offering motivation/encouragement 38 to keep one’s pecker up (keep-kept-kept) – (UK English) keep one’s chin up. be in favour of nowadays – these days 47 hugely – immensely. Koeniges Dr. etc. At one point the book recommends that you can increase the flow48 of milk when feeding49 a baby by taking a sharp50 needle51 and piercing52 the nipple53. be shocked 27 to work like a Trojan – (UK English) work very hard 28 brand – commercial name. member of the Think in English team to be startled – be surprised. they realized44 that they both supported45 the proposal. this wasn’t necessarily the case in the past. ❯❯ EXPLANATION: in British English ‘bee35’ only refers to the yellow and black insect. ❯❯ EXPLANATION: ‘Trojan’ is the most popular brand28 of condoms in the USA.o. so the simile took on new connotations in Irene’s young and impressionable mind. underground room beneath a house (typically used for storing wine. outflow. trademark 29 gathering – coming together.o’s recommendation 45 46 Issue 144 Think in English37 . don’t get depressed. was startled26 one day when she heard a middle-aged English lady use the simile “he was working like a Trojan27”. “But it’s a good motion. put forward 43 eventually – (false friend ) in the end 44 to realize – (false friend ) become conscious 36 37 An Industrious Insect American English has the term ‘a bee’ to describe a gathering29 of people for a specific task 30 – either cooperative or competitive. artificial nipple on a baby’s bottle (see photo) 54 to take s.Photo by Mario Herrera A busy bee Photo by Thomas R. with which it pecks) 39 conference – (false friend ) convention 40 to argue – debate. ❯❯ EXPLANATION: in British English ‘nipple’ only refers to the centre of the mammary gland (out of which milk comes). British women were horrified and fortunately none took the good doctor’s advice54. This British expression is a reference to Virgil’s Aeneid. (feed-fed-fed) – give food to 50 sharp – piercing. One hugely47 successful book in the 20th Century was Baby and Child Care by Dr. uniting 30 task – job. pointed 51 needle – 52 to pierce – puncture 53 nipple – (US English only/in this context) teat. The exasperated Americans kept replying. The word ‘pecker’ originally meant mouth (from the beak [= hard mouth of a bird] of a farm bird.e.) 34 to dig (dig-dug-dug) – hollow out. in Britain it is a room full of beds. Ouch! Nowadays best-sellers are usually proofread and translated before they cross the Atlantic. excavate 35 bee – (UK English) 25 26 Related Resources 1 Do you know any anecdotes about language acquisition or confusion between different varieties of a language? to support – (false friend ) back. Homeric Safe Sex As a teenager American ‘Thinker ’. 25 that “the cellar33 of our new house was dug34 by a bee in a single day”.o’s advice (take-took-taken) – follow s. massively 48 flow – flux. movement 49 to feed s. Why do you want to table it?” Eventually43. Irene. (wrote in castellan) to [company name and address. advertisement 2 nowadays – these days 3 supplier – company that supplies (= provides) materials to another company 4 this is not an English word 5 invoicing – sending invoices (= bills. here is an invented letter responding to the above advertisement. files informatics.Wanted: An “Experimented by Miles Pratt Language | False Friends Administrative” ADMINISTRATIVE Here is a genuine job ad1. Cornellá de Llobregat] A suggestion for a correct version of this ad is provided later. ❯❯ Can you provide improved versions of both the ad and the letter? Think in English Issue 144 1 ad – advert (UK English).S. but to give a little more practice at correcting English false friends. and retribution6 on value. It also contains many false friends and other common mistakes made by English learners in this kind of context (note: a computer grammar/spelling checker would not pick up the majority of these mistakes for you).). Nowadays2 the level of English in job ads seems to have improved a lot. working along with very overcoming7 group of young people. nemesis 7 to overcome (-come/-came/come) – conquer. statements of charges) 6 retribution – punishment. send C. 5 years experimented in customers relations. but this one contained many serious mistakes and ‘False Friends’.V. triumph 38 . Dynamic company. which appeared some time ago in La Vanguardia newspaper. revenge. Interested. countability4-invoicing5 and English fluid speaking and writing Offering: Full contract (S. suppliers3. T.S. and discuss the possibility of working for your company. I will be happy to meet you. enclosed 12. where I am technic in the informatic department. 9 accounts – formalized relationships between a company and each of its clients 10 ‘overcoming’ is clearly the wrong word. be present at 8 Improved Versions: ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Five years’ experience in customer relations.).Dear Mr / Mrs. my CV. send C. I add my CV. [Name] Related Resources V If the language of a job ad is clearly deficient. Please find. My current job is at Pirelli. where I am a technician in the I. accounts9-invoicing5.T. I am licensed in Economy from the University of Barcelona and finished my career two years ago. If you would like me to attend16 an interview with your company please contact me at the number given on my CV. Dynamic company. I am an Economics graduate of the University of Barcelona and finished my degree15 two years ago. My actual work is at Pirelli. present oneself as a candidate for 12 ‘enclosed’ for a letter. does this affect your decision about whether to apply or not? Issue 144 Think in English39 . Yours faithfully. but this is hardly (= not really) necessary as almost all data filing /'failiη/ is digitalized nowadays2. – information technology 14 application form – standardized document on which one applies for11 a job 15 degree – standard university course 16 to attend – come to. I am very interested in I. Cornellá de Llobregat] Dear Sir or Madam. I will be happy to meet with you when you want and discuss about the possibility to work for you. Department. If you would like that I assist a interview at your enterprise please call to me at the number which puts my CV. suppliers3. 11 to apply for – ask for. 7 June. ‘Ambitious’ is one alternative. I am writing to you to apply for11 the job advertised in ‘La Vanguardia’ newspaper.13 and would be grateful if you would send me an application form14 and details of the job. If you are interested. [Name] We could add ‘computerized’/ ‘digitalized’ etc. but we can’t say “very problemsolving”.T. and pay according to performance. and with fluent spoken and written English Offering: Full contract (S. I write to you for solicit the work you announced the 7 June in the diary ‘La Vanguardia’ . Yours attentively. (written in Spanish) to [Company Name and Address. working with a very ambitious10 group of young people. I am very interesting for the informatics and would like that you send to me a formula of solicitation and dates about the work. ‘attached’ for an email 13 I. but it is not clear what is meant. data filing8.V. ‘progressive’ is another. at your convenience. ‘Overcoming’ could mean ‘problem-solving’. putting any left-over’s11 back in the box and handing it to12 a member of the crew13. footnote 11) 15 to garnish (food) – decorate. to s.3 To accompany putting above4 hardboiled5 grated6 -egg7 and buckets8 of9 ham.14 Related Resources broken English – imperfect English as used by some foreign speakers 2 jar – glass container in which food is sold 3 wrong word: mud is the viscous liquid produced when earth mixes with water (especially with rainwater) 4 wrong word: ‘above’ implies that one thing is over another thing without touching it 5 hard-boiled – (of eggs) cooked so that it is solid 6 grated – broken into small pieces using a 1 grater – wrong punctuation: there is no reason to join the adjective to the noun with a hyphen 8 bucket – 9 wrong word: we say ‘buckets of’ something when referring to a large quantity of liquid. submit sth. staff on a passenger plane 14 crazy punctuation: the words are fine. Fasten your seat-belt while you are seated.Language | Translation Error Detectives Here’s a wonderful bit of broken English1 from a jar2 of ‘Andalusian Tomato Cream’ (Salmorejo Cordobés): 1. Suggested Improvements 11 3.o. Garnish23 with grated hard-boiled egg and diced24 ham. Sneha sent us this sign she saw in a plane: 2. On a plate of mud. Please. the punctuation is bizarre (cf.o. help us when clearing up by. to s. to s. 3 What’s the funniest broken English sign you’ve ever seen? leftovers – food remaining on your plate when you have finished eating 12 to hand sth.o. 2. Serve very cold in an earthenware bowl. 10 wrong word: ‘to be sated’ means that you have eaten enough and feel full 7 40 1. Please help us when clearing up by putting any leftovers back into the box and handing it to a member of the crew. Eat very cold. FASTEN SEAT BELTS WHILE SATED10 Phot by Marina Carresi Phot by SNeha Mistri Here’s another bit of ‘airline English’: 3. adorn 16 diced – cut into small square pieces Think in English Issue 144 . – give sth.. 13 (cabin) crew – flight attendants. LIFE VEST UNDER YOUR SEAT. whip 23.) train 36. sunk one’s teeth into. Anagram of ‘are’ 14. start. command. perfect example 34. Homophone of ‘tow’ 11. scared. Canadian currency 63. Anagram of ‘arid’ 61. furious 57. Noah’s boat 60. time by which one has to be home 7. distant 66. surprise attack. son that Abraham almost sacrificed 58. number. Anagram of ‘has’ 24. Homophone of ‘cell’ 18. preposition 73. moral code. Homophone of ‘8’ 70. story. insect 5. Information Technology (initialism) 30. accomplice 24. digit on one’s foot. expanse of salt water. rhythm. container. Homophone of ‘fore’ and ‘for’ 54. Down Homophone of ‘bittern’ 25. more than enough 58. Greek letter. rod. Anagram of ‘bra’ 16. Homophone of ‘earn’. Homophone of ‘see’ 53. US police officer 52. fine. nothing in soccer and medicine 69. building full of bedrooms (UK English) 4. Oman (Internet address) 18. annoyed. relating to one’s countenance 20. consumed food. for example (Latin initialism) 21. collective bedroom (US English). member of the municipal authority. peace and quiet 80. Malta (Internet address). gaping 43. exhausted 75. hectolitre (abbreviation) 48. at/to a distance 59. correspondence Across think 143 solutions D E F E C T I V E S W A R M I C K O N A M I L E V L U E O P S V P E A L R N I C D H E E W N G O U R O N E E N S O N E A T O H N E F I N C H E A N A C C I R E R A G R Y A I M P R E G N A B L E A N S N I V O Y L O N R T A I L E C T L I S L E T V Y I I S S F I G L D OM I E E N C N S K O B R E S M E T O E W A N N T E E L N G S O I Z Z O O N O M A T E Issue 144 Think in English41 . British Conservative 27. type of tree. your and my 55. inhaling from sleepiness. throw. Republic of China 74. pub. hurl. you and I 77. illicit romance 56. Anagram of 13 DOWN 50. number. Anagram of ‘net’ 44. Homophone of ‘counsellor’ 28. laugh childishly and uncontrollably 9. at that time 65. gangrenous because of the cold 2. possessive adjective or object pronoun 38. buccaneer 52. demonstration 23. Finland (Internet address) 56. Anagram of ‘tear’ 64. (I) exist – in the morning? 1. pagan 49. subject pronoun 41. preposition. a precious metal. dry burnt particles. number 39. evaluate. repay 17. I agree 55. Anagram of ‘those’ 3. term. sphere. do the easy clues (in red) first. confederate. pay back. indefinite article 47. Homophone of ‘phew!’ 19. Homophone of ‘tick’ 13. Anagram of ‘chore’ 12. opinions. Anagram of ‘I call’ 37. Homophone of 4 DOWN 27. English equivalent of 69 ACROSS 47. natural brownish pigment (UK spelling). mountain (abbreviation) 65. bus. Anagram of ‘there’ 26. reciprocal trade agreement 32.) carriage. Homophone of ‘aye’ and ‘eye’ 41. indefinite article 76. Anagram of ‘livers’ 22. informal British ‘thank you’ 40. deal. armed conflict. leave 46. particle – spine 6. pinkish violet. epitome. female chicken 72. spirit. frightened 51. tellurium (abbreviation) 42. same as 41 ACROSS 78. put on sale. Homophone of ‘know’ 77. specimen 54. type of beer 79. Hungarian stew 8. help 67. not many. Football Association (initialism) 68. military intelligence (initialism) 15. next. poet of lament 10. Homophone of ‘tail’ 78. subject and object pronoun. (v. London Academy of Music (acronym) 71.Test how well you have retained the vocabulary from this issue of think by doing the following crossword: If you find the crossword difficult. This will make the rest of the words much easier to find. primitive mind – identification (initialism) 74. epoch. Anagram of ‘rob’ 33. Anagram of 76 ACROSS 62. pale. reactions 4. Crossword 1 2 3 4 5 00 6 7 8 00 11 00 00 24 29 36 41 48 00 00 00 72 79 58 65 37 00 49 53 59 66 73 00 74 42 00 54 00 67 75 00 60 00 25 17 21 00 00 26 30 00 31 38 43 00 44 00 00 61 68 00 80 76 00 00 00 55 50 00 00 32 00 00 00 33 00 39 45 00 51 56 62 69 77 00 70 78 00 9 00 00 00 12 18 00 27 00 28 22 00 34 00 46 00 00 13 10 00 14 00 15 19 23 00 00 40 00 52 57 63 64 71 00 00 00 00 47 00 35 00 00 00 16 20 1. (n. Anagram of ‘waning’ 46. spasm. Australian. China (Internet address) 35. involuntary movement. cubic centimetres (initialism) 29. auditory organ. dominant (male gorilla) 72. promise. Homophone of ‘wore’ 69. canopy. Homophone of ‘whirred’ 45. a colourless volatile liquid used as an anaesthetic or solvent. accord. auxiliary verb. merchandise on board 31. Anagram of ‘run’ 40. negative adverb. a gathering of people for a specific task (US English). faces. why not? When you have finished. Finally.” Do you agree? Why. ❯❯ “People need to dominate animals or kill them. colours. textures and materials. 50) while1 you listen again.Miscellany Picture Description Photo by Ernst Stavro Blofeld 19 Picture Description Try to describe the two photographs on this page. First. track Photo by Mario Herrera Related Resources Track 19 while – at the same time as large-type – in big letters 3 to come across (come-came-come) – encounter 1 2 42 Think in English Issue 144 . describe what you can see and what the people and animals are doing. comment on your personal reaction to what you can see. read through the tapescript for the recording (on p. Write down any new words or expressions you have come across3. Remember there is a large-type2 version to download at www.thinkinenglish. Remember to describe posture. listen to the model version on the CD (track 19) and try to follow what the native-speaker is describing. for each picture. Finally.net . 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I saw this movie The Help the other day and it was shot in Mississippi and I’m sure – y’know5 – that the green pastures are a little greener than they really are and the magnolias too are a little – y’know5 – are a little yellower than they really are. in general 23 to be a sucker for sth. at the bottom of 59 gonna – (slang) going to 60 bigoted – prejudiced 61 to get punched in the face (get-got-got) – 62 crime – illegal acts 63 to be most likely to [infinitive] – have a great probability of (+ -ing) 64 gun – firearm 65 mugging – robbery in a public place using intimidation 66 purse-snatching – (US English) grabbing s. I never realized2 it when I lived there that there’s something remarkable 9 about the fact that you get on10 a plane. C: I really miss a New York blizzard15. statistically speaking it still is. enhanced 28 to be intended to be – be supposed to be. so much that you don’t stop to judge it 24 to have a soft spot for sth. you know it’s an exaggeration. And a lot of locals56 here always bring up57 that movie. duty 36 do long for – (emphatic) yearn for. Part 1: The Big Country (4m48s) Commentary: Listen to the following people talk about the USA. sort of. for me. C: And a Californian sunset. well. which it is. spectacular 22 to a large degree – mostly. 46 It’s pretty47 – y’know5 – unrealistic. sure. But some of these places I have been to. F: Oh. guy. hike. it’s… I find it difficult because the States is huge45 and whether53 you’re from the east coast. It is definitely big. go ahead38. the west coast. So I think – y’know5 – there’s52 two sides. which is not always true to life44. So. the double-edged sword41. 2. somewhat just – (in this context) simply rug – carpet 50 and so on and so forth – et cetera. 51 to deal with (deal-dealt-dealt) – (in this context) look at. And there’s the impression that all Americans are rich – y’know5 – and it’s just 48 not the case. but on the other hand when you travel outside of the States a lot of the ideas that people have about Americans they take from films. O: And trying to explain that to people is difficult. develop 9 remarkable – extraordinary. for example. great movie about… a great American road movie. you know? O: Sure. But does the American dream really exist in the way that Europeans or other… not even Europeans in other parts of the world – y’know5? I remember being in Morocco and they thought just48 because… I was… they took us to a rug49 shop. you know? I mean 4… and I don’t think – y’know5 – we all see this American dream. kind of 5 y’know – ( pause filler) like. they wanna20… they wanna20 make them visually arresting21 and… and to a large degree22 I’m a real pretty much – more or less to realize – (false friend ) be conscious overseas – abroad. F: Yeah. Englishman (EM): OK. I haven’t traveled as much as I ought to32 within33 Europe and part of it ’s to do with34 work and personal commitments35. C: Yes. Has living outside the USA changed your perception of your country? Floridian (F): Well. Part 3: Violence (1m58s) F: But getting on the violent thing – y’know5. etc. The people are big – y’know5 – the Coca-Cola’s big – y’know5 – the coffee’s big. F: Uh huh. But nevertheless it’s… it’s – y’know5 – those magnolias are there and it would be nice to go back and experience that. that is both an advantage and a disadvantage 42 this imagery – these images. It’s like. absolutely it does. you know? EM: Just17 picking up18 something Nick said. beautiful. O: And especially Hollywood films. y’know5 – it’s yes and no because there was an article years ago in The Economist and it said that actually31 there’s more violent crime62 in Europe. we all speak the same language. C: I think a lot of Europeans understand how vast the country is and how very different.” And – y’know5 – if you travel through the United States you’re gonna59 go through parts where people are a little more bigoted 60 than in other parts. be meant to be 29 scenery – (false friend ) countryside 30 fair – just. you know it’s like you’re seeing a – y’know5 – a university student who’s working at McDonald’s and he’s living in a huge45 New York loft – y’know5 – that’s like… I don’t know about – y’know5 – 300 square feet. I’ve been living in the same place here in Europe for the last three years and the scenery29 is somewhat monotonous. You know American Beauty would be an example. represent 52 there’s – (informal ) there are 53 whether – (in this context) it doesn’t matter if 54 to portray – depict. I think what he’s done is just48 humanized it a little more. particularly documentaries. they’re making movies. I do long for36 going back to the United States and seeing the land again through a different lens37. like. I mean 4 – y’know5 – people talk about going someplace 6 and a three-hour drive seems like forever. equitable. New Yorker (NY ): Someone I asked about the US the other day who had returned to the US after several years living in Europe and I asked her. O: Yeah. But actually31 the statistics show that – y’know5 – … C: Like muggings 65… F: Exactly that type of – y’know5 –… C: …and purse-snatchings66. The thing is the violent crimes in the States you’re most likely to 63 die from because of guns 64. illustrate 55 fella – (slang) fellow. a Death Valley trek. like. “Well. like40 – a double-edged sword41 that on the one hand they have this fantastic imagery42 of what the United States has to offer. There are a lot of places now I would like to go back to14. And. a lot of me perceptions I pretty much1 continue to have. from the south. gigantic 46 = 28m2. “Are they really like this in this part of the country? Are they really like this?” I say.net Debate: Americans – Inside and Out(27m04s) 1. I mean4. obligation. man 56 locals – local people.o’s handbag and running away 67 due to – because of 47 48 49 Issue 144 Think in English45 . They are less stereotyped. pine for. “How is it? How does it feel to be back?” and she answered. size and also… I mean4 things are big in the States. from the north – I mean4 – they’re actually31 almost different countries. still. but… F: But they’re very different. where in the United States I remember we used to7 drive three hours to go to the beach and thought nothing of it. especially if they haven’t been there. Go ahead38. F: Yeah. F: Going on that same thought. F: Yep43. yeah. odyssey. everything’s big. (have-had-had) – feel especially affectionate about sth. I just 48 think that it’s… being in Europe and trying to explain to the people that never traveled to the States. you know? I really… F: It’s a beautiful country. C: And… but the guy never got punched in the face 61… well – y’know5 – almost. kind of. But. C: And that’s hard11 to convey12 to a lot of people here in Europe. But just 48 it’s another side and it just48… it shows I think a greater variety of… 3. I think Michael Moore has done a really good job in portraying54 the negatives of the country. travel six hours. Same thing with… what’s that fella55’s name? Sasha Baren Cohen did Borat. really 32 ought to – should 33 within – inside. once you’re on the other side you miss what you had before. EM: And the rest of you? Californian (C): Yeah. you know? And I think that’s one of the things Hollywood shows a lot… is that everybody lives in these wonderful big houses and so forth and so on50. y’know to be thrown in – be included larger than life – exaggerated. F: But the thing is that in the United States it’s the – y’know5 – the death due to67 a violent crime62 is higher pretty (adv. 1 2 3 Tapescripts 144 Think 144 | Tapescripts sucker for23 it. get off and everybody speaks exactly the same way.” So. Other things dealing with51…. that’s one thing I noticed. F: Yeah. – like sth. I know it’s not a fair30 thing to say. walk 17 just – (in this context) quickly 18 to pick up (on) – follow up on8 19 on purpose – intentionally 20 wanna – (slang) want to 21 arresting – impressive. this portrayal 43 yep – (slang) yes 44 true to life – realistic 45 huge – enormous. Sure. And I think in part it’s because of some recent movies perhaps that have come out. reasonably. up (bring-brought-brought) – (in this context) mention 58 at the root of – in the origins of. never been there. actually31 it’s not a fair thing to say. by and large. But one thing I noticed is that I didn’t realize2 how big the United States was until I lived overseas3. I remember those places and maybe it’s because… obviously it’s because the photography… the quality of the photography and all these other – kind of25 – artificial elements are thrown in26. fancy 37 through a different lens – from a different perspective 38 go ahead – please continue 39 the grass is always greener on the other side (of the fence) – what you don’t have always seems more attractive than what you do have 40 like – ( pause filler) sort of. And… but. I mean4. Most of the movies that I watched on big screen13 and DVDs are American. the grass is always greener on the other side39. in a foreign country 4 I mean – ( pause filler) y’know. they’re – kind of25. natives 57 to bring sth. “You know. But. Hollywood produces a lot of movies and most of those are filmed in the United States. O: Sure. kind of 6 someplace – (US English) somewhere 7 used to – (in this context) would 8 to follow up on – continue to talk about. F: Yeah. F: But at the same time I think Hollywood is pretty47 kind of – ( pause filler) sort of. C: And I think those recent documentaries that don’t – y’know5 – are not like the typical Hollywood movie where you think that the United States is a very violent country. Geographically speaking. The extremes of it. I mean 41 double-edged sword – sth. it really is a beautiful country. in 34 to be to do with – be related to 35 commitment – responsibility. I really miss A New England autumn. express 13 on (the) big screen – in the cinema 14 to go back to (go-went-gone) – return to 15 blizzard – snowstorm 16 trek – trip. which I thought was another great.thinkinenglish. here’s a question for the four of you. F: Well. sort of. And I have completely changed the way I view the United States. For me. Part 2: Hollywood & the USA (4m10s) O: Yeah. So. I’d like to follow up on8 the physical aspect of the country. more or less. represent. geographically nature’s… EM: A Death Valley trek16. Y’know5 there’s… you can’t question that. I mean4 it looks larger than life27 and that’s the way it ’s intended to be28. never lived in the States. Y’know5 I have a real soft spot for24 that and that’s one of the reasons I go see movies. But at the root of58 every exaggeration there’s a little bit of truth. And also going to the movies too has completely changed my perception of the country. Presumably the speaker is in fact referring to a much bigger area 25 26 27 good at objectively being critical of certain things about United States culture. y’know. I wanted to talk about Hollywood films a bit. exceptional 10 to get on (get-got-got) – board 11 hard – difficult 12 to convey – transmit.) – quite. in Europe I think distances are shorter to people. Ohioan (O): Go ahead.Download an illustrated version with larger type at www. And that’s pretty much1 true for any country. O: It’s like a culture within33 a culture. expedition. I didn’t realize2 that they were so beautiful when I was there. do you think that Hollywood projects a certain image on purpose19? C: Well. Born on the 4th of July. impartial 31 actually – (false friend ) in fact. Jimmy Carter. if you’re talking about… yeah. just – (in this context) only a handful of – a few.. I mean4. The other states it’s a foregone conclusion103 because of. football… C: Yeah. contention fistfight – brawl.. F: I go outside those – y’know5 – stadiums and I’m a little bit afraid. affirmation. whatever. F: Right. characteristic 120 all over the place – (informal ) everywhere 121 swathe – large area 101 102 103 O: If I had a choice I would. And – y’know5 – they just 48 don’t know the rest of the country. but again the United States is so big and we all get very. if I’m correct. I can’t speak for – y’know5 – but – y’know5 – in my lifetime… well – y’know5 – in my voting lifetime. (in this context) amid. Ohio and whatever. So. EM: But sure – I mean4 – I think you do your sports much better than we do in Europe. But… C: And the money. I mean4. And it’s become just101 a handful of102 states: Pennsylvania.Tapescripts | Think 144 than in Europe. I lived in California and New York. and the Southeast of England always votes for another party. EM: It goes back to the idea of countries being equivalent. Y’know5. But they expect the United States… people from the United States to know all about all of these small countries in Europe. customs 75 soccer – European (as opposed to American) football 76 the (team) strip – the uniform of a sports team 77 scarf (plural ‘scarves’) – 78 ’cos – (slang) because 79 teenager – person aged between 13 and 19 80 amongst – among. young kid… I was a little kid when Kennedy – y’know5 – was assassinated. So. but New York is very provincial. Part 4: Ignorance of Geography (0m55s) NY: But there is a stereotype… there are stereotypes that Europeans have about Americans that I’ve been irritated by in the past a lot ’cos78 as a teenager79. you know? You do run across111 those and the same thing with California.. I mean4. When Obama… why is he gonna59 go to California? Why is he gonna59 need it? It’s a waste of time unless to ask for money. The Bush family came out of the north. state in which either of the major parties has a real possibility of winning 100 to go (go-went-gone) – (in this context) vote 86 87 88 46 Think in English Issue 144 .e. as we like to say the ‘left’ coast… 6. The same thing goes with71 – like40 – the football matches72. I mean 4. F: Uh huh. very provincial in some way.though – however. you’re still on a plane. Ohio is one… O: Ohio. And people have been killed outside of football stadiums in Europe.. but wait a minute. Part 7: Provincialism (2m32s) C: Yeah. Let’s just101 focus on Pennsylvania. you know? I mean4. however. the governors tend to be Republican. can you tell me where Idaho is?” or “Can you tell me where Louisiana is? What’s the capital of California?” And they really don’t know that much about the United States. there’s not… C: I’m not cosmopolitan. EM: Which means Democrat. to all intents and purposes – effectively culturally aware – sophisticated. Democrats and the states in the center and the south tend to be Republican or right wing92. as you were saying. peculiarity. EM: But you’re not talking about… F: Cosmopolitan? EM: You’re not talking about anymore of the – sort of83. C: Recently. ‘progressive’)? 91 blue state – state in which the majority usually vote for the Democrats 92 right wing – conservative or reactionary 93 to get a kicking (get-got-got) – be criticized 94 and rightly so – as they deserve. Is it less of a big country81 because nowadays82. the distance… C: I would love to do that. is there actually31 different culture or is it once every four years when it comes to109 voting that… C: It’s definitely palpable every… once every four years. I’ve been here for three and a half years. half a dozen foregone conclusion – inevitable result 104 redistricting – redefining of the electoral districts 105 trend – tendency 106 as time goes on – as time passes 107 entrenched – established. y’know. you’re talking about flying? I mean4. six. Or what we’re really talking about is the equivalent being states… the American states being [equivalent to] European countries. right? C: Liberal. immutable. very strict rules74 about the violence in most cases in terms of soccer75 or football. but Europe actually31 has a higher violent crime rate.. it’s actually31 not that big a country89. seven hours is still a long time. and look at – y’know5 – Reagan. in New York people live in Manhattan and they will not go beyond 23rd Street ’cos78 that’s the end of Chelsea. to some degree 118 whether – (in this context) if 119 trait – idiosyncrasy. I hate to say it. I mean4. those are gonna 59 go100 Republican and the blue states 91 go to the Democrats.. redistricting104 or whatever or just 48 cultural or sociological trends105. O: Yeah. like.. I get the impression that – sort of83 – young cosmopolitans like yourselves tend to fly from one coast to the other coast.. F: Yeah. the team strip… F: Uh huh. EM: It’s weird113 that because a lot of what you’re saying I think isn’t actually31 that different in Britain. you can’t compare the people that live in California with their representation. But to actually31… actually31 go and give a speech to try to connect with people. claim – assertion. I mean 84 (1957) by Jack Kerouac (the bible of the Beat Generation) 85 right – (in this context) all the way 68 69 70 Related Resources K Has travelling abroad affected your ideas about your own culture? F: Yeah. New York State. And I know loads and loads of114 people in the south of England who’ve never been north of the Watford Gap115 which is just above London. Part 5: On the Road or On the Plane? (1m25s) EM: One question I wanted to come back to in terms of – y’know5 – you’re all saying this is a big country etc. I think it’s unfortunate and as time goes on106 it’s becoming ever more and more entrenched107. EM: . for example. cultured the Tri-State Area – the most densely populated area in the USA around New York City (including bits of New Jersey. wait a minute.you’re not into violence. 7. an American teenager amongst80 Europeans I always used to get these people coming up to me and saying. yeah. It’s gotten to98 the point now where presidential elections are all about what they call ‘battleground states99’. Isn’t it? So – I mean 4 – let’s be careful now when we start… ’cos78 I think we’re getting into… O: Kennedy? What about Kennedy? F: Kennedy was also Massachusetts. altercation to break out (break-broke-broken) – start.” And I thought. I mean4. But – I mean4 – it would be a… it’s a question of time. And all the punditry108 says – y’know5 – the red states97. you know? And that has also all – sort of83 – political implications that coastal states tend to be blue states91 and socially… I mean4 – politically more liberal. it’s curious. impartial. Not one time did I ever… did any of the candidates ever come to my town to ask for my vote. the South has come up with 95 some very progressive people. group of political experts 109 when it comes to – at the time when people are 110 . I disagree here because the South gets a bad… the South always gets a kicking93 in the States and – y’know5 – you think about… O: And rightly so94. y’know5 – ‘On The Road’84 -type culture where people will actually31 be driving right85 across the country. it… F: Six hours. come across. Now maybe that’s because I don’t get out that much. I disagree… Sorry. the country has become much more polarized in terms of red states 97 and blue states91. “Oh – y’know5 – Americans don’t even know where my country is or my hometown is. And it’s because they’re blue states91. C: Yeah. But he came out of the South and – y’know5 –… C: Bill Clinton. And if you look at some of our more progressive presidents. C: They moved to Texas. Connecticut and Pennsylvania) 89 it’s not that big a country – the country is not so big 90 are we talking political? – are you using ‘left’ in the political sense (i. even-handed 74 rules – (in this context) protocols. encounter 112 once – (in this context) not even on one occasion 113 weird – strange. Ronald Reagan came out of California. you know? I mean4.. I think that in most European countries that there are huge45 – sort of83 – swathes121 of countries which will always vote a certain party. which is merited 95 to come up with (come-came-come) – produce 96 which is in the extreme northeast of the USA 97 red state – state in which the majority usually vote for the Republicans 98 it’s gotten to – it has reached 99 battleground state – marginal state. I mean4… O: Well. C: I can’t think of some other states.. EM: If you’re wearing the strip76. EM: Do you actually31 feel that when you’re in the different places? I mean4. F: They went to Texas. I mean4. I think… I think to be fair73 I think the Europeans… there is violence also in Europe. EM: That’s because you’re in continental Europe and not in Britain! F: Well. F: And Clinton’s another one. Part 6: Red States & Blue States (3m28s) F: Are we talking political?90 C: …it can be a small country. EM: But in terms of the… F: Wait a minute. I know that W. as the coasts. 4. yeah. Wait a minute. I mean4. is the Californian coast or part of the Californian coast plus the – sort of83 – the Tri-State Area88 and all of that – sort of83 – New York area and you’re just 48 travelling by jet between the two. EM: Yeah. etc. it’s just48 different in the way – y’know5 – than the violence in the States. It’s become – kind of25 – a foregone conclusion103. Y’know5… C: I think when Europeans say that Americans are more violent it’s been my experience that this claim68 is… I’m speaking from my own personal experience… is I think justified. I have not even seen a fistfight 69 break out70. wait a minute. F: The city? C: I mean4. even if you’re not in Britain. 5. they’re so ignorant. C: The states where we cannot predict if they’re gonna59 go100 Democrat or Republican. erupt 71 to go with (go-went-gone) – (in this context) be true for 72 match – (in this context) official or professional game 73 fair – just. even to the point where… F: You’re talking New York State though110. EM: There are very. “Well. I’m wondering116 to some extent117 whether118 you’re perceiving these things as local traits119 when in fact it happen all over the place120. Wait a minute. EM: But if in fact what you have is to all intents and purposes86 for most people who are culturally aware87 etc.. But.. but they came out of Maine96 . F: Yeah. O: I think most Americans that you talk to would love to be able to have the time to drive. I know Europeans disagree with that. surrounded by 81 less of a big country – a relatively smaller country 82 nowadays – these days 83 sort of – ( pause filler) kind of. And the ones that come out of the north – y’know5 – look at those. If you are actually31 moving around the whole thing… C: Like40. Because of the situations of the South’s history. 111 do run across – (emphatic) run into. Y’know5. in terms of – y’know5 – one party can pretty much1 count on always winning Scotland and Wales. the city of New York. I think some of our more progressive presidents came out of the South... fixed 108 punditry – pundits. yeah. But – y’know5 – Kennedy… I was a young. it’s true. We… – y’know5 – I grew up in California and I never left the state once112. EM: So. who I think – I’m sorry – was a great president. But – I mean 4 – we’re generalizing. New York. bizarre 114 loads and loads of – a lot of 115 the conventional northern limit of the Greater London Area 116 to wonder – ask oneself 117 to some extent – in part. if I’m not correct. right? C: No. It’s people wearing scarves77 particularly. So. It’s very clear who wants to be involved in violence and who doesn’t in most cases. as Irene pointed out135. I’m very worried about where… the direction of where we’re going with the States. dressed in 178 confection – dress 179 coins – 180 bride – woman who is getting married on the day of her wedding 181 to be mesmerized – be fascinated 182 to process – proceed as if in a procession. It was like going to a foreign country123. walk 183 aisle – walkway down the middle of a church towards the altar 184 row – line of seats 185 ahead of – in front of 186 biddable – obedient. it was… I’d never come across124. I also do agree166 that. but if you expanded that and looked at a state. But. F: Well. Brazil. So. We had spent many hours at the home of the bride180 that day watching the proceedings and my four-year-old was mesmerized181 by the wonderful dress her aunt was wearing. We – y’know5 – I mean4. O: I’m concerned. I mean4. come on! These are serious issues164. That doesn’t mean that America will wither away139. which I think would only be a problem if they continue to be authoritarian. overseas to come across (come-came-come) – encounter. Part 8: The Future (7m44s) EM: One last question. A lot of foreigners144 think that Americans are inherently very jingoistic145. aged four. F: Which is center in Europe. uncontrollable laughter 147 148 And we… just now they’re passing a law163 where American soldiers can arrest American citizens. (in this context) daughter 169 170 171 Issue 144 Think in English47 . stronger workforces and these people are taking over128 the world. But our Constitution has been fairly157… pretty much1 annulled by Bush and the Patriot Act and including that… – y’know5 – Obama came along158 and said he was going to make changes. to adapt it to make it a viable society in the future. you ’ve taken it down to122 the size of a city or a section of a city. 28-29. I mean4. We’re supposed to be a leader of world democracy and we’re going against everything of our founding fathers154.. but anyway. C: I think that the United States is in a period of decline. seem like two different states. it would be good if we got an answer from each of you. created a lot of paranoia and so you had to go have this puppet regime146 there and this puppet regime there in order to keep the Reds at bay147. torture. EM: OK. that those innate132 abilities.o. I think the American… the whole American empire thing is coming to an end eventually127 and it’s been a very powerful country for a very long time and very influential one. my offspring189 moved on stage – in the theatre to be prone to – have a tendency to to be faced with – (in this context) be in front of 172 to struggle – make a big effort 173 to be struck – (in this context) be affected. It’s not… I don’t think there’s… that that’s the aspiration. I think one of the American traits130 is the ability to be innovative and hard-working. However. I think we can take a page from140 the experience of Great Britain at the end of the 19 th Century when they saw across the pond141 this new country and realized2 that soon enough they would be eclipsed by the United States just 48 for the simple reason that it was so vast and it was attracting all of these immigrants. mention 136 to take sth. determine 143 ultimately – (false friend ) in the final analysis 144 foreigner – s. cooperative. this my personal opinion. People who are prone to170 an attack of the giggles just48 have to live through174 it. But – y’know5 – it – y’know5 – Guantanamo is still there and Obama – y’know5 – killed an American who – I mean4 – they called he a terrorist. intrinsic 133 to talk sth. take off 189 offspring – child. to take it down to (take-took-taken) – reduce it to to a foreign country – to a country abroad.. want to go out and conquer. meet 125 strongly held – fixed. C: But I was in the same country. much of it of course very extreme left. submissive 187 (bride)groom – man who is getting married 188 to lift – raise. And there was no trial. Although I’m not prone to170 see the funny side of things when I’m faced with171 an audience. yeah. under control to be over – have finished 149 to work – function 150 challenge – test. a Yemini-American imam with connections to al-Qaeda 162 ACLU – American Civil Liberties Union 163 to pass a law – enact legislation 164 issue – (in this context) question 165 large – (false friend ) big. pluralism… an open society is the better way. difficult task 151 put it this way – let me express the idea in this way 152 forefather – ancestor 153 ashamed – mortified. 8. How do you see the future of America? Are you optimistic? NY: I… I’m concerned126. but at the same time I think… I believe. ■ 9. he is. (in this context) more or less 158 to come along (come-came-come) – appear. It was never really about that. If they provide a model for other countries and show that only authoritarianism can work149. it is not appropriate to spend most of the time laughing. She was repeatedly told that she could look but not to touch. I think that we go around talking about democracy. I think [what] our founding fathers154 said is that we have to… it’s not the enemy outside. And frequently we’ve struggled172 to keep a scene moving forward when he’s struck173 by a bad case of the giggles168. to trial (bring-brought-brought) – try s. We have spoken about this on numerous occasions and it seems that there is no solution. 134 policy – strategy.Think 144 | Tapescripts O: Sure.. 10. That has been replaced by the War on Terror and yet there’s 52. C: By American standards. I think America needs keep selling the idea of openness.. It was… it was like going to a foreign country for me. about two land wars in Asia now. And a lot of things that we in the past have put out there representing us we’re being hypocritical about. I don’t think it’s any different here at all. yes. And I think that those skills131. political differences. all decked out in177 a beautiful pink confection178 was given the honour of carrying the coins179 that form one of the symbols in a traditional Spanish wedding. I don’t think Americans ever really aspired to be a vast empire. I think the United States is… well. But even from. type 157 fairly – reasonably. And so that’s… they will probably grow at a much faster clip138. But I have frequently been subjected to uncontrolled laughter from one of the people I work with on stage169. I mean4. I was in the exact same country. try to solve 168 giggles – giggling. no. the future of the United States I think is in the diversity and the ability of people who emigrated to the United States to… to make it remain129 an influential country in world politics. Ohio. as you were saying within33 a city. The ACLU162 was working on it trying to get him to go to… to have a trial for him. programme 135 to point out – comment. consider sth. however. have 174 to live through sth. I mean4. And we are going to be seeing the end of that in the next 50 years. accept 175 to shake (shake-shook-shaken) – (in this context) tremble 176 sister-in-law – (in this context) the sister of her husband 177 all decked out in – wearing. She was very good about this and we arrived at the church and processed182 up the aisle183 without incident. China. I think diversity is one of our strongest points in the States and ingenuity is another one I think. extensive 166 do agree – (emphatic) agree 167 to deal with (deal-dealt-dealt) – tackle. Of course.. sure. but he wasn’t. judicially process s. 160 due process of law – an established legal way of doing things 161 he is referring to Anwar al-Awlaki. emerge 159 to bring s. I think economically we’ll come back because we – y’know5 – there’s a large165 consumer population out there. I think it’s inevitable. there’s a big population and – y’know5 – you’re gonna59 always be able to sell things to Americans. then again. y’know5 – people with very. My daughter. but the enemy within155. My child being an important part of the ceremony. I don’t think it’s necessarily a period of decadence. At the moment in the proceedings when the bride180 turns to her groom187 and he lifts188 the veil from her face. ability 132 innate – inherent. This is – y’know5 – unacceptable coming from – y’know5 – the kind156 of the Constitution we have. F: By American standards. where I’m from. But it’s just 48 in a period of relative decline and the reason. and – y’know5 – transparency. perhaps not militarily. but even from city to city within the same state you have quite big differences. So. I’m probably a little more worried about things that others aren’t. But the Cold War is over148 now. So. for granted (take-took-taken) – expect sth. – (US English) talk about sth.. come on. as a result of that. And they ’re willing to137 work harder for it. I don’t know. from another country 145 jingoistic – excessively patriotic 146 puppet regime – government that is controlled from 122 124 123 Russia. The Cold War. freedom. But that’s what’s going to happen. They killed him. Yeah. is just 48 that there are other countries that have younger workforces and they would like… they aspire to the same things that Americans have had now for some time and take for granted136. plan. It just48 means that it will have a relatively less prominent position politically. I think if our forefathers152 came back and took a look at the United States today they’d be very ashamed153. unshakeable 126 to be concerned – be worried 127 eventually – (false friend ) in the end 128 to take over (take-took-taken) – take control of 129 to remain – continue to be 130 trait – characteristic 131 skill – talent. some of the other things that were said. I’m just101 talking133 national policy134. two different countries. A wedding is not usually a very solemn occasion but. Now.o. very strongly held125 convictions. C: I know when I went to college… I grew up in Los Angeles and when I went to college up north in Berkeley. I mean4 – y’know5 – we have Guantanamo. that’s the way I see it because all these other countries have younger. but – y’know5 – he should’ve been brought to trial159 – y’know5 – under the Constitution we have due process of law160. that I think is a real problem. I have one once though and I learned that control is not easy when one is shaking175 with laughter. or the north… north of Columbus and south of Columbus politically speaking are two different. Foreign policy is a different question. ■ Monologues: Getting the Giggles168 (16m19s) Commentary: Listen to the following people talk about situations in which they suffered from uncontrollable laughter. And that’s ultimately143 the only thing I think we can ask of ourselves. And you try to figure out142 a way of – y’know5 – securing… how do I say this? …providing for your own people peace and liberty and justice. That is exactly what happened to me at a wedding of my sister-in-law176. That’s the next challenge150. Functional English: Feedback (3m14s) Commentary: Listen to these two dialogues from pp.o. economically. that preoccupation that other countries like China. Monologue 1 (2m37s) [South African] I’m not really a laugher. deep-seated. be prepared to 138 clip – (in this context) rate. but I see another thing. O: It’s interesting. There is. will help them transform the country that is now and was 25 years ago into something. But I think we’re gonna59 have to deal with167 some of these – y’know5 – get back to who we really are and – y’know5 – we’ll just 48 leave it at that. overseas at bay – at a distance.o. distressed 154 founding fathers – those people who created the USA and its Constitution 155 the enemy within – the danger from inside the country 156 kind – sort. put it this way151. maybe this guy was a terrorist.161 It never happened. was seated a few rows184 ahead of185 me and I was content that she was perfectly biddable186. But I don’t think there’s an aspiration to go and conquer and to be the most powerful. to be normal and natural 137 to be willing to – be ready to. uncomfortable. curiously. I’m thinking of countries like India. I mean 4. – endure. speed 139 to wither away – atrophy 140 to take a page from (take-took-taken) – learn from 141 the pond – (in this context) the Atlantic Ocean 142 to figure out – work out. I had not realized2 how well she had taken in her lesson. I’ve racked my brain204 trying to recall205 what led me to206 laugh uncontrollably in the past. So he’d say… so the musical instrument of the church was not an ‘organ’ but rather240 an ‘ergan’. But of course the actors on stage280 were performing and it would’ve been awful281 if I’d laughed out loud282. Most of them happened when I was a teenager79 and in my early 20s. I tend to think that sometimes people have difficulties with certain things maybe they’re not always designed for certain jobs and to fold sth. slap it down on217 the counter218. One thing he said… words that began with ‘o’ he pronounced ‘er’. this is the story of a fit196 of uncontrollable laughter for which I was punished234 for several weeks. like most of my dreams. reprehensible. water and yeast221 from which bread is made 213 baker – bread-maker 214 to knead – massage. (down) on – throw sth. She took it very well and. Now of course I believe that one should act respectfully in places of worship262. mother of the bride180. audibly 283 to bite into (bite-bit-bitten) – sink one’s teeth into 253 255 254 kneading214. pieces of news 240 but rather – by contrast 241 to roll one’s Rs – pronounce ‘r’ like a Spaniard 242 very hard – extremely audibly 243 on top of that – what’s more. I. Monologue 2 (3m08s) [US English] Getting the giggles168… well. interruption 248 tears – drops of water in one’s eyes 249 to well up – accumulate 250 sharp – pointed 251 elbow – articulation in the middle of one’s arm 252 to stick (stick-stuck-stuck) – (in this context) stab. I had pieces of dried dough212 on my face. And the other thing he did was he rolled his Rs241 very hard242 so ‘an organ recital’ became ‘an ergan r-recital’. Anyway. 11. they’d chosen our church… someone to read the notices239 of what was going to happen in the church during the week. viscous 225 to soldier on – persevere. fold it over on219 itself and repeat this for about 10 minutes. Anyhow268. All of the things we had on the counter were shaking175 and moving around as I was lightning – to admonish – reprimand. A couple of years ago I met up with a couple of old school friends in the Photographers’ Gallery in London. What can I say? Anyway. 279 urge – desire. I would call this the ‘slap-and-fold’ technique of kneading214. find sth. I was bored to tears274. need 280 on stage – on the theatre’s platform 281 awful – terrible. flow through 194 attempts – efforts 195 to stem – control. Whenever I get extremely tired I get giddy202. a book by French baker 213 Richard Bertinet. ignoring me. (get-got-got) – affect s. over on – double sth. epithet. decant sth. the earliest instance258 of uncontrollable laughter that I remember was when I was about 10. glare. I can never really remember what was happening. – tip sth. attack 211 bread – 212 dough – mixture of flour220. Someone invented the nickname259 ‘The Machinegun260’ for her. everyone would ultimately207 end up laughing uncontrollably as well208. Of course. up with flour – particles of triturated grain yeast – fungus that causes bread to expand when it is heated and is also used in fermentation 222 to pour sth. When I was about 16 I was travelling in Italy with a friend and we visited a little church in somewhere like Ferrara or Modena or Verona… I can’t remember the exact location. stare 273 recipe – (in this context) formula. we were laughing so much. After a bit we realized2 that the cafeteria was decorated with these ridiculous photographs of seated young women with their eyes closed. I knew I was in for trouble 223 when I saw how wet and sticky224 the dough212 was. thrust. However. sonorous 230 banging – thud. When I was about. Perhaps it is. some with their heads back. The ridiculousness of the situation just 48 got to278 me and I felt a desperate urge279 to laugh. I started giggling and couldn’t stop. continued with the class. however.o. to 207 ultimately – (false friend ) in the end 208 as well – too. pummel. Now. realizing2 you shouldn’t laugh at other people’s problems. sticking to226 the wall. I know many of the fits196 of uncontrollable laughter I’ve had in the past can be attributed to a lack of198 sleep. work. besides. well. woozy 203 to break out (break-broke-broken) – erupt. dreadful 282 out loud – aloud. eight or nine years old. scold ripple – subtle wave 193 to sweep through (sweep-swept-swept) – cross. not really 266 to stand (stand-stood-stood) – stay on one’s feet 267 hallowed – a sacred/holy place. As I did.. was lost and spent the rest of the service in desperate attempts194 to stem195 what seemed to be an increasingly terrible fit196 of the giggles168. deficient 199 to endear A to B – make B like A more 200 one’s mother-in-law – the mother of one’s spouse. my brother and my grandparents. I tried to control myself the best I could. In the end they asked us to leave. moniker 260 machinegun – (literally) 261 to crack up – laugh uncontrollably 262 place of worship – temple.Tapescripts | Think 144 like lightning190. Someone had the idea of imitating them and we all tried to sit there with a serious expression and our eyes shut.o. I mixed up the flour220. which did little to endear me to199 my mother-in-law200. not to sleep 278 to get to s. underneath the cabinets227 and. So. 223 to be in for trouble – be going to have difficulties 224 sticky – adhesive. an ergan r-recital. The most recent occasion I have suffered from uncontrollable laughter was a performance of a Beckett play. barely265 able to stand266. audible.. 13. deplorable 238 looking back on it – in retrospect 239 notices – (in this context) announcements.o. but it was Beckett. I started chuckling228 at this point. In this physical and emotional state everything seems hilarious. I’ve had my share of201 situations in which I was unable to control my laughter. convulsions 197 to bear witness to (bear-bore-borne) – record. we were in the cafeteria and not the gallery. And at that point I just48… I just couldn’t control myself any longer. What you’re supposed to do is pick up215 this large. I was there first of all254 silently shaking175 and also tears248 rolling down255 my face. And the ripple192 of indulgent laughter swept through193 the church. after asking what the matter was. We were chatting away269 in a good-humoured but well-mannered270 way. unruly216. In the end. Mr Bertinet explained his unique way of kneading214 wet dough. my wife has told me that on a couple of occasions she’s been woken up231 in the middle of the night by my laughing. I do. some slumped over275. collapse. noise 231 to be woken up – be roused from one’s sleep 232 rather – reasonably. but I soldiered on225. of course. Once either I or one of my friends started laughing. All I remember is how ridiculous the situation was and that I was laughing so hard that I was crying. About 10 minutes before the end I looked around me and almost everyone was asleep in different postures. all over me. The acting was perfectly acceptable. but I haven’t been able to remember any. the translation was so bad and the accent so strong that we both started cracking up261. label. Monologue 3 (2m43s) [Northern Irish English] So.” And it was just 48 such a long pause. push 219 220 221 48 Think in English Issue 144 . And it was when the snickers256 just couldn’t stop and people started looking round that my father realized2 that this was inappropriate and probably something for which I should be punished257. pound 215 to pick up – take. continue 226 to stick to (stick-stuck-stuck) – adhere to 227 cabinet – cupboard 228 to chuckle – laugh in a quiet controlled way 229 loud – noisy. combined speech impediments. giggling 257 to punish – take disciplinary action 258 instance – example 259 nickname – sobriquet. the counter. noisily onto 218 counter – work surface 190 191 192 Related Resources R Do you have any anecdotes about getting the giggles? they’ll be good at others. A simple word or action that normally would not be remotely funny could cause me to break out203 into uncontrollable laughter. More recently. mix sth. the breaks247 were so long. I remember suddenly in class I found this really funny as I listened to her. my cousin. I bit into283 ribs – costal bones. we had to flee264 from the church. 12. is that it was extremely contagious. limit. By the time I finished kneading214. quite 233 to share – (in this context) tell 234 to be punished – be disciplined 235 I guess – I suppose 236 just like – the same as 237 unforgivable – inexcusable. very tedious 275 to be slumped over – have fallen forward while sleeping 276 to nod – move one’s head up and down 277 to stay awake – remain conscious. something I was dreaming about made me laugh quite a bit and rather232 loudly. Monologue 4 (3m47s) [UK English] I’m pretty47 sure that I used to get the giggles168 a lot when I was very young. And for some strange reason in our church they decided… what I’m going to tell is unforgivable237 looking back on it238. chest first of all – initially to roll down – run down. thoracic cage. (in this context) her husband’s mother 201 one’s share of – a typical number of 202 giddy – dizzy. speech impediment 246 to discuss – (false friend ) talk about 247 break – pause. remember209 quite vividly a bout210 of uncontrollable laughter that I had in the recent past. “Quique. and this was something also that we discussed246 at home and – y’know5 – it was… and something was rather232 curious.o. There was a. descend 256 snickers (US English) – sniggering (UK English). just like236 every Sunday morning. contain 196 fit – attack. some nodding276 as they tried to stay awake277. as serious as painting or sculpture. I used to go to church with my mother and father and my uncle and aunt. This is the perfect recipe273 for giggles168 and we were soon all laughing uncontrollably. Apparently. but here it was. But this was made impossible whenever the sharp250 elbow251 of my grandmother started sticking252 into my ribs253. But the staff271 started giving us disapproving looks272. Unfortunately. I was intrigued by this new technique and had to try it. weak at the knees. We had a biology teacher who spoke very fast. In this book. Even the beautiful video taken of the event bears witness to197 my unfortunate lack of198 control. They chose a man who had a number of speech impediments. So. testify to 198 (a) lack of – absence of. water. also 209 do remember – (emphatic) remember 210 bout – fit. religious building 263 to make matters worse (make-mademade) – create a bigger problem 264 to flee (flee-fled-fled) – escape 265 barely – hardly. for tourists there was a recorded commentary which you listened to on one of those old-fashioned telephone receivers. This is – sort of83 – hallowed ground267 for photographers apparently and the place tries to project the idea that photography is an art form.. But I think what made me start laughing uncontrollably was how loud229 the slapping and banging230 of the dough212 on the counter218 was. small pieces of dough212 were flying off in all directions. What I do remember. About three years ago when I started studying bread211making I came across124 Dough212. I looked around and I could see my cousin shaking175 silently with tears248 starting to well up249 in her eyes and she started to laugh. Though I wish I did that way I could share233 the stories and everyone could have a laugh. but most got the meaning. But somehow our efforts to be reverential only made matters worse263. do not touch!” The congregation being mostly Spanish did not understand the words. I picked up the amorphous dough212 and began to slap it on217 the counter218. means of achieving 274 to be bored to tears – be bored to death. terrible 245 stammer – stutter. so we weren’t in the artistic part of the building. explode 204 to rack one’s brains – think very hard 205 to recall – remember 206 to lead s. However. my glasses and in my hair. to (lead-led-led) – cause s. glutinous. But there was one particular Sunday that this gentlemen got up and told us that during the week there was going to be an “a… a…. however. a sanctum 268 anyhow – anyway 269 to chat away – talk in a relaxed way 270 well-mannered – polite 271 staff – employees 272 look – glance. though. over on. And on top of that 243 he had the most dreadful244 stammer 245. light-headed. I guess235. lift 216 unruly – difficult to control 217 to slap sth. wet ball of dough212. planted herself firmly in front of the groom and admonished191 him with a loud determined. yeast 221 and salt and poured222 the dough212 on the counter218 to begin kneading214. only just. moreover 244 dreadful – awful. Well. y’know5… plus316 I have to get up after. And they to get upset (get-got-got) – become irritated to get hurt (get-got-got) – be harmed.) – friendly. I mean4. I’m very grateful.o. W: Just 48 take a seat. difficult to please 316 plus – moreover. W: That’s good. yes. OK? Can I have my bag. Old man (OM): What? W: Yeah. OK. I pointed to the people on either side of her. Again. OM: Yes. Just a minute. long bench305 and all six musicians were sitting there. W: …you could kill yourself on this bus and you need help. here’s a seat. Little by little the bench we were sitting on started shaking175. I’m not upset. Just 48 because you didn’t want to sit down in the first place323 doesn’t mean that you have to get up now. you know? I mean4. Would you like to take a seat?” OM: Oh! Well. he’s the worst of all. OM: Yeah. Let me take that bag for you. Let me get your bag here. yes. nice 325 to hold sth. wait.” Let me take your bag. W: And I know… I know I did it the other day. There we were. But another time I was at a Quaker school. “Here’s a seat. please! OK. And I then need to be in a situation where laughing is completely inappropriate. All the faculty and staff271 were there and just before the food was served the chaplain292 stood up293 to say grace294. anyway. I can’t believe it. wait. OM: No. position. be present at 305 bench – hard seat for several people 306 to uphold (-hold/-held/-held) – maintain. OM: Wait. and there was complete silence in the room. leave sth. we’d love to. there’s my stop. I first went six years ago and skipped 331 a couple of years and I had that… I was working on that record and I get it to Kathy Casey and Chris Keenan over there. kind 314 cane – walking-stick 315 fussy – finicky. yes. Another… another moment I remember I was singing in a concert and there was some 500 people there in the public and I was singing a song with three other singers. – evade s. no. ma’am. I was just48 waiting for moment so I could just let a sound out of my mouth. OM: Yes. to get this uncontrollable laughter I need to be in company of a good friend or. There’s my stop. 289 to frown – scowl. I’m gonna59 get off the bus now.. Let go.. This lady she really needed a seat and nobody on the bus would get up and I gave her my seat and that was good action for the day. I’ll help you get up. besides. OM: This is… W: You know there’s no need to get all mighty326 about it. really. W: No. “Now. thank you. OM: I just101 have to walk just a block and a half down there and I’m fine. W: But it’s a perfectly good seat. bizarre 329 to complain – protest. generous 321 God forbid – I hope not 322 to avoid s. I prefer to stand. very kind320 of you. W: But how are you gonna59 stand? You have a cane314. Monologue 5 (4m02s) [Scottish English] I’ve gotta287 confess that I’m very prone to170 getting the giggles168. “Here’s a seat. OM: Oh. W: Is this your stop? I’m not sure this is your stop. So. I’m not offended. detain sth. wait. no! W: I’m only trying to help you. God forbid321. OM: No. OK. And. W: You know you don’t have to avoid 322 me. well. wait. they run332 that festival. no. And I was there with a group and before playing the concert the headmaster303 asked us to… if we’d like to attend304 the assembly. two adults having to inflict significant pain on ourselves surrounded by dosing286 people while the actors performed this intense nonsense in front of us. W: I mean4. Woman (W ): Good morning. It was terrible. I’d been there for three months. After three minutes I was red in the face. So.” And we went into the assembly full of children and we sat down in the front row184 on this long. You see the problem is that if I sit down then I have to get up. All I was trying to do was help the man and all he could do was complain329 that he couldn’t get up again. OM: Excuse me? Excuse me? W: I said. out 332 to run sth. these are things that happen. W: Well. I understand. wait. I can’t do that.Related Resources C Have you ever seen anyone trying so hard to be helpful that they make a nuisance of themselves? was enough to provoke uncontrollable laughter. Can I help you? Look. W: You know I wasn’t trying to offend you or anything. OM: Oh. there’s no need to avoid322 me. really there’s no need to get upset317 about it. In fact. no. So. ma’am. So. You a have very nice day. And so I was very thankful to keep the job. That was so odd328. he wasn’t really a singer but he was singing the bass part. And the silence was broken by a huge45 snort296 followed by uncontrollable laughter. that this was his stop. And I had to crawl off301 the stage and made the best of a big deal302 and disappear. I tried biting my arm. I need to get up now. Some of the worst cases of uncontrollable laughter that I’ve suffered are at a Christmas dinner at university. To get the giggles. you could fall… OM: Yes.o. I could. “Yes. sir. at first 324 sweet – adorable. Well. no. I have to go now. And of course anyone who looks over288 and frowns289 at a first giggle is sure to290 provoke a storm291 of laughter. Here. OM: Oh. I’m very grateful. I wouldn’t want you to get hurt318. sustain 307 sweating – perspiring 308 priest – churchman. I’d just started working there. There we go. imperious 327 if you don’t mind – please. no. moan 330 in a row – consecutively 331 to skip sth. My wife noticed something was wrong but I couldn’t open my mouth to tell her what it was. Isn’t that bad for your leg? You’re gonna59 hurt your leg. kind. OM: Thank you very much.” Of course. I’ll take the seat here. they don’t… they really don’t appreciate when you’re trying to help! That’s just 48… that was so bizarre. no. And now I’m helping you. That’s very sweet324 of you. no. And that’s very. W: Wait a minute. W: Just 48 let go. late 326 (high and) mighty – self-important. a very long grace. I would like everyone to spend three minutes in silence to think of all the good things they’re going to do today. W: You know…. wait. let me help you with that bag.o. wait. then. (run-ran-run) – organize 333 to turn out – transpire. if you don’t mind327. ■ 15. try to escape from s. what’s more 300 301 302 Think 144 | Tapescripts spot319. But. OM: That’s very sweet of you. I’ll sit right here in this seat and be good. crying. no. that lower lip – the edge of one’s mouth next to one’s bottom front teeth to stifle – suppress.. W: I wouldn’t want you to hurt your leg. with your permission 328 odd – strange. I just101 have to… W: Are you… OM: We can’t hold up325 the bus now. OM: Oh! Oh! I’m not offended. prove to be the case. well. No. up – increase the volume on 311 hearing aid – machine that fits in your ear and helps you to hear better 312 I’d rather – I would prefer to 313 thoughtful – considerate. but I couldn’t control it. especially my brother. it sounded to me like a cow anyway and that of course made me collapse on stage280 while the others continued singing pretending not to notice299 me and I was lying300 on the floor. Let me turn up310 my hearing aid311. yes. miss sth. constrain 286 dosing – sleeping 287 gotta – (slang) got to 288 to look over – glare at s. God forbid. W: I can’t… OM: Bye-bye! W: Goodbye. I tried hiding295 my hand… my head in my hands. You can see… it’s over here. how could I? How could I… how could I avoid such a sweet324 young lady like yourself? W: You don’t… OM: This is my stop! This is my stop. I was just101 trying to help. sweating307. we said. Improvisation: The Helping Hand(4m04s) Commentary: Listen to the following improvisation. up (hold-held-held) – delay sth. I mean 4. yes. wait. ■ Interview with George Harper: Part 2 (9m34s) 16. It’s a constant danger that I live with every day of my life.. cover 296 snort – nasal sound (like the noise a pig makes) 297 bass singer – singer with a deep voice 298 mooing sound – bovine noise. That’s very thoughtful of you. It was at that moment that I understood the term ‘the theatre of the absurd’. stay in the seat. top teacher 304 to attend – come to. What if you hurt your… I mean4. he came in with this mooing sound298.o. I’ve lived now 85 years and I plan to live another ten.” Would you like to take my seat? Here. even a funeral of a good friend. people today. sound like a cow 299 pretending not to notice me – simulating that they had not noticed 284 285 Issue 144 Think in English49 . OM: Wait. “Here’s a seat. ma’am. long. torrent 292 chaplain – churchman associated with an institution 293 to stand up (stand-stood-stood) – get to one’s feet 294 to say grace (say-said-said) – bless a meal 295 to hide (hide-hid-hidden) – conceal. clergyman 309 can’t help – don’t control 310 to turn sth. – omit sth. I was just101 trying to help you. W: Well. I can’t seem to hear you very well. W: There’s no need to be fussy315 about it. OM: Oh. Yes. But it’s something that I can’t help309. You’re a very kind320 woman. God forbid! No. Oh… op. I’ve lived. but I’d rather312 stand. please. not in a row330. become apparent 317 318 319 my lower lip284 and desperately tried to stifle285 the giggle. OK. This caused her to have to bite her lip to stop giggling too. And I looked over and caught the eye of a friend and that was it. make sth. punctilious. OM: Yes. let me take your bag. please? W: I said.. That’s very… W: No let me… OM: That’s very… that’s very thoughtful 313 of you. the church is a perfect place for laughing. OM: No. miss. 323 in the first place – initially. And the headmaster303 talked to this and that and at some point he… he stopped and said. I’m saying. But. well. 14. OM: Oh. no. Goodbye. And when it happens. well. Part 1: Rushin’ Around (4m08s) Think ( Th): And that was the… I believe you said before. can you repeat that again. It’s… probably I’m very immature. It’s something I live with as I said. And I have to… W: But you… OM: D-d-d-d-d-driver! Driver! Driver. this is my stop and I need to get home. it happens and there’s nothing I can do to stop it. W: Stay in the seat. that was the 4th time you’d been to the Longford Festival? George Harper (GH): Yeah. please? W: No! OM: Excuse me! Please. yes. They happen at any moment. have an expression of disapproval 290 is sure to – will certainly 291 storm – (in this context) fit. weird. Again. suffer an injury/lesion spot – place. Let me have my bag. of course. I was going to play a concert there. started going up and down and also knowing that all the children must be looking at us and we had an image to uphold306. You know I just 48 think it’s – y’know5 – it’s – kind of25 – a waste for this old decrepit old man here to take this seat from this nice young lovely young lady. stop. There’s my… W: What do you mean? OM: Well. I won’t move from my lying – horizontal to crawl off – leave on one’s hands and knees a big deal – (in this context) a humiliating experience 303 headmaster – principal. OK. you know. So. OM: OK. We had the Christmas dinner. And – y’know5 – it turns out333 that they really liked it and they like me and I like them and we’re friends. This is a very heavy bag. out. That’s very thoughtful313 of you. you know? OM: Oh.. three minutes of silence is an eternity. The priest308 had a cold and when he started singing his voice went and. came in. current location 320 kind (adj. And when the singer… the bass singer297. and I’ve been there four years. Let me turn it up. I understand. There’s a thing that we have there at home called to hire s. “People need to dominate animals or kill them. They’re my record label342. And Timmy was in for just101 a very few days and I said. up. I don’t make my own moonshine and I don’t drink that much moonshine because it gets you so drunk. GH: Well. which is this huge45 two-. But sour mash.com and I also got a MySpace site and if you wanna20 make friends with me I got that Facebook thing going on – y’know5 – so it’s George Edward Harper. right. GH: Oh my God! Th: Saturday night album and a Sunday morning album. the one on the left is obviously an older picture.o. GH: And we use apple cider358. The tiger appears to be illuminated..) – improvised distillery 356 to give s. ■ to hunt – kill animals for sport to be lying down – be horizontal mat – rug. Pronunciation (0m47s) Commentary: Listen to these words from p. I sat there and watched it make water all day. man. flat woven surface 373 to be laid out – be exhibited. So – y’know5 – just48 running around trying to get things done353. So the first official record that you released is I’ll Be Back. Nathan. And I got T-shirts printed up. Examiner: OK. and it’s not official yet. It looks as if the picture was taken in a zoo and the spectators are behind some kind156 of glass partition. Over the tiger stands proud what looks to be – like40 – perhaps the hunter or… there’s nothing else in the picture to suggest that but… it looks like a man and a woman. But the clear white lightning is where you take water and sugar and yeast 221 and let it ferment and once it ferments… I think the waiting period is about 12 days… you put it in the still355 and you distill it.. – employ s. Tim Carter of Tree-O Records. pants for horseriding (US English) 376 to gaze – look intently 377 environment – natural surroundings 378 impervious – indifferent to. unaffected by 379 whereas – while. perhaps some kind156 of special lighting. laid out373 in a rather374 ceremonious way. and his environment. I don’t really know… I guess235 it’s OK and I guess235 if you’re willing to137 eat meat and eat animals and how you go about it is really inconsequential. 368 to catch (catch-caught-caught) – (in this context) receive 369 hyphen – ‘-’ 352 353 50 Think in English Issue 144 . So… Th: That’s a nice thing to hear. yeah.o. Tight. but I’ll probably have a record release thing335 when I get back 336 to Nashville. ■ 19. Dominating animals just48 for the sake of380 dominating animals. It’s a very nice thing to hear. on Saturday night I think I would George Harper’s I’ll Be Back. cinnamon359. GH: So. GH: …you don’t have any alcohol. Perhaps we have a couple here who have just gone on some hunting expedition… maybe in India. on the other hand. Th: On Facebook. progress 354 moonshine – (illegal) homemade whiskey 355 still (n. right? GH: T R E E-O Records. I’ve had the opportunity to go into this friend of mine’s still355 and make my own moonshine. at the last moment 338 to track sth. Th: Well. But I have made moonshine. Examinee: Well. And it’s not… it’s really like Kool-Aid360. sth. “Man. it’ll send you into orbit. to use sth. They are both of a tiger.” GH: That’s right FBI. It ’s lying down371… it appears to be dead on some kind156 of mat372. GH: Across the big pond350.57 litres 365 I did get it down right – (emphatic) I did it correctly 366 corn – (US English) maize 367 to be after s. – (in this context) record 339 lead part – principal vocal section 340 a time schedule – a tight schedule. “Man.o. Th: One day? GH: We had one day and so we did all those… I said. They’re gonna59 be after367 me! Th: Yeah. Th: OK. is made with corn366. In the picture on the right. That’s really all I know about it. Th: Right. and I wrote this song the day I was making a batch357 of moonshine354. There are babies and families there looking at the tiger and its surroundings. we had one day. so www. Examiner: I would like you to describe and compare these two photos.treeorecords. why not? Examinee: Well.. ■ 18. But they really. (5m26s) 17. tight schedule351! GH: It was tight. the harmony vocals and a couple of the lead parts339.o. from what I understand. we don’t have but344 one day.Tapescripts | Think 144 started hiring334 me to come over there and play and – y’know5 – I’m just48 so very grateful for the opportunity. in order to achieve 381 where I stand on – what I think about. We went in and recorded this thing live in the studio. They’re just 48 there looking on perhaps taking pictures. “George Harper is not a moonshiner. GH: And so we rehearsed347 for about an hour one day and three days later we were in the studio and it just 48 went like clockwork 348. George. on Facebook. Th: Right. my website www.. Th: OK. And I guess235 it’s because if it’s OK to eat animals.georgeharper. if the FBI is listening. But we went in knowing that we had this time schedule because the Carters are very busy entertainers. “And so all you really need is six songs because if you’re gonna59 pitch yourself345. but. free rein of sth. There’s52 some… some rocks and some plants that have been put there perhaps specifically for the tiger to recreate his environment377. to get things done (get-got-got) – accomplish things. We went in at eleven and we were done at six. a strict time limit 341 to be signed under – be under contract to 342 label – (in this context) company 343 to put on (put-put-put) –include 344 we don’t have but – (dialect) we only have 345 to pitch oneself – market oneself successfully 346 EP – extended-play CD 347 to rehearse – practise playing musical instruments together 348 to go like clockwork (go-went-gone) – go without a hitch. Th: Right. and then we had one day that we mixed it. that would be considered white lightning. And on Sunday morning I think I’d pick George Harper’s No Smokin’ in Here. And behind there appears to be spectators. I really appreciate you taking the time. man. And he’s the one that told me that… the difference between ‘clear white lightning190’ and ‘sour mash’.. One more on a personal level: I know you mentioned it the other day and I know… I believe you wrote a song about it. Th: OK. GH: And so it is a fermentation process where… so anyway. Excellent. unresponsive to. if they wanna20 catch368 the latest George Harper news. (as a present) 362 gift – present. 2 gallons364 of it. we went down to the wire on337 this thing. Th: OK. Th: Two good choices. I appreciate it myself. try to arrest s. I’m not sure where I stand381 on that.” He said. If you could pick only one album to listen to on Saturday night. I’m not a moonshiner. It’s a small record label there in Nashville owned by the Carters and Brian Budzinski up in Boston. to be perfectly honest.” Do you agree? Why. recruit s.o.” They call it an EP346. The older picture shows a tiger apparently after it’s been hunted370. But pretty much1 it’s about 80% live in the studio and we did that because we were on such a time schedule340. right. it’s a colour photo of this tiger sitting proudly. man. man. And he showed me how to make it and he gave me free rein of356 it one day to make a batch357 of moonshine. is artificial. But I went and picked them up352 at midnight the night before I got on the plane to come over. yeah. And the condensation is the distilling process and what you get off of it is alcohol. and they were so cool. And for our listeners. thing – (in this context) event 336 to get back (get-got-got) – return 337 to go down to the wire on sth. which I’m signed under341. Th: Excellent.” So. eight hours. but a friend of mine does. correct? And then No Smokin’ in Here was just released. Th: Thanks. 42.o. Th: Yes.. It’s black and white. a bullfight383? So. three-metre long tiger laid out373 on this… on this mat. sphinx-like. Th: If you had… this question I like to ask people. I’m not sure. two very good choices. oblivious to. So. given 363 steam – hot water vapour 364 = 7. can they find that on your website or MySpace page? GH: Yeah. yeah. Moonshine354 Th: I’ve got a couple more questions for you. We tracked338 a couple of things. – pursue s. which would they be? It’s a difficult question. gazing376 ahead of185 him or her. and eh… OK. sugar and moonshine354. GH: Yeah. “Man. away (give-gave-given) – give sth.com.o. GH: And I don’t own a still355. It comes out and it looks like water.. I think that people need to kill animals to eat them. ■ 20. This picture looks to be like something taken perhaps in the late 19th Century during the colonial period. He’s dressed in jodhpurs375 and a… I guess235 a – kind of25 – a suit and a hat to protect him from the tropical sun. yeah. whereas379 the other older black-and-white picture looks to be like a scene taken after a successful hunting expedition. Th: Right. then on a moral and ethical level does it really make any difference whether118 you do it ceremoniously as in. I’m gonna 59 read a phrase to you.” And he said. 33. The tiger is completely impervious378 to the people around him. I’d really wanna20 get this record done before I go to Ireland. Poetry: Gray’s Elegy (1m08s) Commentary: Listen to the first verse of this famous poem. what my position is on 382 say – (in this context) for example 383 bullfight – 370 371 372 Apple Pie. say382. And we were so happy that we were done349 by six in the evening. I got nothing but water because if you get steam363… Th: It takes away the alcohol. at least this side of the glass. the day I wrote this song ‘Friendly Moonshiner’. Picture Description (4m39s) Commentary: Listen to the following description of the two photographs on p.o. And it’s been so good to pick sth. engage s. And they are showing the results of their expedition. sign s. it looks like a scene from a zoo. you’re always welcome. up – collect sth. GH: And so. (go-went-gone) – do sth. by contrast 380 for the sake of – for purposes of. And. go exactly according to plan 349 to be done – have finished 350 the big pond – the Atlantic ocean 351 a tight schedule – a strict time limit 334 335 Related Resources T Have you ever tried to home-brew any type of alcohol? Have you ever tried to make any type of elaborate or exotic recipe? What happened? to meet you and I can’t wait to get back to Spain to see you again. the first time that I ever tried it. I know. yeah. sent it to the printers and I got it about a week before I came here. fetch sth. you know? But I did get it down right 365 the next time. in the interests of. man. be displayed 374 rather – somewhat. And to be perfectly honest. you know I’ve got a lot of songs I wanna20 put on343 there. (give-gave-given) – permit s.o. and one album that you could listen to on Sunday. I am not an expert in this. And they just told me last week when I was playing the festival that they didn’t think that they would ever have a festival without me again. GH: Thanks. GH: Man. that’s what you need.o. Th: And that’s… Tree-O is T R E E hyphen369 O. Th: Wow! GH: Yeah. Is that correct? GH: Yeah. maybe in Africa. GH: Yeah. And I like giving it away361 for Christmas gifts362. unmoved by. Th: And what’s that? The strength? GH: Well. right? GH: No. freely 357 batch – quantity 358 apple cider – (US English) unfiltered apple juice 359 cinnamon – a type of spice 360 Kool-Aid – a flavoured powdered-drink mix 361 to give sth. GH: And Tree-O Records is where you can order my CDs. But. Is it correct that you make your own moonshine354. quite 375 jodhpurs – riding breeches (UK English). you know? Th: Great. sea utilizada para la realización de resúmenes de prensa.com/thinkinenglish www. D. 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